Drinking joints in Kisumu will now be inspected randomly every week to edge out the selling and consumption of illicit brews.
Kisumu East Deputy County Commissioner Moses Ole Tutui said that a number of licensed alcoholic drinks retail shops illegally sell illicit brew such as the local chang’aa and busaa and bhang while hiding behind the pretence of selling cigarettes.
Tutui accused the alcoholic drinks retailers of encouraging the consumption of illicit brew by allowing their customers to consume the cheap local brew.
Speaking to the press in his office today, the Deputy Commissioner noted that there has been a rise in the number of illicit brew and bhang cases in the area.
He said: “It has come to our attention that these local brews are nowadays not sold in their usual dens as the police had already discovered those joints. These brews are now being sold illegally in the licensed retail shops and they have the Kenya Bureau of Standards stickers.”
“We are launching a random impromptu search and inspection of retail shops that are mostly frequented to search for any illicit brew and bhang. Action will be taken against the retailer if found to be selling illegal drinks,” he added.