The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) welcomes the measures against alcohol and drug abuse announced by the government through the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Administration of National Government Prof. Kithure Kindiki. We strongly support the directive for immediate closure of bars and other alcoholic outlets operating in residential areas and near schools.
This action is long overdue given the disturbing proliferation of bars as well as wines and spirits outlets in residential areas contrary to Section 12 of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act. Resident Associations across the country have grappled with this matter for so long and we are glad that the government is finally taking the issue seriously and making decisive move towards addressing it.
In light of the Government directive and to support the government efforts, KARA is compiling information of bars as well as wines and spirits outlets in residential areas and near schools for onward transmission to the relevant government agencies for immediate action.
We invite the government to partner with community groups such as Resident Associations to ensure that the current impunity of licensing bars and alcoholic outlets in residential areas and near schools is effectively and sustainably dealt with.
We also urge the government to put in place mechanisms that makes it easy for reporting alcohol and drug abuse as well as illegal alcoholic drinks businesses in residential areas and near schools. We hope that the directive by government is not just another public relation gimmick and will be enforced to the letter.