A takeaway wines and spirits joint in Nairobi. [steveumeme.blogspot.com]Witeithie Ward MCA JuliusMacharia has decried the alarming increase of unlicensed brew outlets in Kiambu County calling on the County Government to intervene.Speaking during a public participation forum to discuss the proposed Kiambu County Alcoholic Bill 2017 held at Juja town on Monday, Macharia cited Witeithie Ward saying it has a total of 210 liquor outlets yet only 67 are licensed.The proposed bill seeks to scale down police and chiefs’ involvement in the fight against illicit brews and alcohol trade and delegate the implementation to the county inspectorate and enforcement officers."There is a need for stringent measures to wipe out illicit brews because they are a threat to genuine alcohol traders notwithstanding the health risk involved," said Macharia.Meanwhile, Amos Kibe, a bar owner in Juja sought to have the operating hours be increased to start at midday and close at midnight. He also called for all bars located within residential plots and the numerous wines and spirit joints to be eliminated.The other bar owners present accused the police officers of harassing genuine traders whom they accused of demanding ‘protection fee’ and other forms of bribery.They suggested that both the police and Chiefs instead focus on fighting illicit brews like chang'aa and other narcotics.Among those in attendance included the Juja Sub-County Administrator John Mungai, Kiambu County Alcoholic Drinks Director, Mike Kang'ethe, Chiefs and police officers led by Juja Deputy OCPD.

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