Kiambu County government has been faulted for failing to include the public in vetting of bar owners and for licensing numerous bars to operate in some areas.
According to Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a, this may slow the fight against alcoholism as the more the number of bars, the harder it will be to monitor who is selling counterfeits in the markets.
Ng'ang'a claimed that the county government is approving as many bars as possible and had failed to consider the opinions of the residents of the areas yet they are the ones being affected.
The legislator, who was speaking in her constituency on Sunday, said that the fact that the County Liquor Licensing Board has approved 27 bars in Kamenu shopping centre is shocking as the area is very small in size and population.
“You cannot approve such a huge number of bars in areas like Kamenu as if you want everyone to sell alcohol. There are very few people in the area and the shops are very few. We are trying to bring alcohol back in business,” said Ng’ang’a.
She added: “The county government should include the public as these people have opposed the number that was approved. The public must be involved in this or else no bar will operate in this area.”