Bars and operators operating close to learning institutions will be closed down in the next one week, Uasin Gishu County Alcoholic, Drinks and Control Board Chairperson Armstrong Rono has said.
Speaking when he met officials from Moi University at his office on Wednesday, Rono gave the operators one week to clear from learning institution premises.
The board chair said that the law does not require bars or pubs to operate near learning institutions.
“We have given a one week ultimatum to operators to move away from learning institutions, bars should keep off and only operate 500 metres from schools,” said Rono.
The Alcoholics Board chair said many bars are operating near schools, colleges and universities. He said that students are easily accessing alcohol from bars and pubs around them.
Rono stated, “The war against alcohol and drug abuse in schools will bear fruits if bar operators are pushed far away.”
Officials from Moi University have complained over the rise of bars operating within the institutions main campus. They claimed that the presence of bars has resulted to increase in drug abuse and alcoholism.
On the same note, Rono said that crackdown on rogue operators will continue adding that over 1000 licences for rogue operators will not be renewed.
Rono added that the government is determined to fight drug abuse which is rampant among teenagers in the county.
He blamed rogue operators for operating illegally and allowing access to teenagers.
Last week, the county government shut down several bars and discos in Eldoret town.