Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced new measures aimed at taming the manufacture and sale of illicit brew in the country.

While addressing the nation on Wednesday, March 6, the CS announced that the government had revoked all the licences for companies that manufacture and distribute second-generation liquor.

He indicated that the licences of the respective companies will be reviewed and issued afresh following the introduction of new guidelines which include the establishment of special laboratories in the factories.

He also announced that the government is planning to introduce taxes on liquor based on the alcoholic content as a means to tame the proliferation of illicit brew.

"The National Treasury is urged to fasttrack the harmonisation of custom and excise duty of ethanol with the EAC region to prevent arbitrage within 45 days.

"Further, within 60 days, the National Treasury shall conclude taxation proposals towards the incorporation of a model of taxation based on alcoholic content and review the taxation of beer and other non-spirituous drinks to mitigate the risk of harmful effect," he directed.

Kindiki also announced that there will be mandatory adoption of KEBS and KRA stamps. All physical stamps will be withdrawn from the market.

Further, the CS ordered the immediate closure of bars and alcohol outlets that are opened in residential areas and near learning institutions.

All alcohol manufacturers will document all traders in their distribution chain for easy tracing. 

All alcohol will contain the details of the manufacturer, the location of the manufacturing plant and the ingredients.

No bars or alcoholic outlets shall operate beyond the stipulated hours. Bar owners who go against the law will be fined.

Manufacturers will be required to provide details of the premises where they manufacture their products to the county security teams. The order is aimed at taming the production of counterfeit liquor.

All public officers in KEBS, KRA, NACADA and the National Police Service (NPS) shall not operate a bar either directly or through proxies.

All vehicles used in the storage and manufacturing of illegal drugs will be seized and deemed to be government property.

All vehicles distributing alcohol and tobacco will have standard colour and will be transported within a specified time. Transportation will be done between 6 am and 6 pm. 

The government will review alcohol quantities retailing in the market and give way forward on the distribution size.

The government will undertake integrity vetting of all officers manning border points, highways and regional offices. This move is aimed at removing officers who aid in the distribution of drugs across borders.