Interior Cabinet secretary,Kindiki Kithure has vowed to put an end to the manufacturing and distribution of illicit brews and liquor.

Speaking during the 3rd regional stakeholders engagement on the fight against illicit alcohol, drugs and other poisonous substances at Kirubia Stadium, Tharaka Nithi County the CS notes that the Government will review all licenses issued to manufacturers of alcohol in the country inorder to identify, isolate and clamp down on unscrupulous manufacturers of illicit and poisonous alcoholic drinks.

"Those who are compliant have nothing to fear. Some rogue manufacturers ,though licensed to produce legitimate alcohol, have established parallel lines to manufacture poisonous substances," revealed Professor Kindiki.

The Eastern Region conference, led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, brought together Cabinet Secretaries, political, security, religious and community leaders from the 8 Counties of Eastern Region.

Kindiki noted that the trade, use and abuse of illicit alcohol, drugs and other psychotropic substances ranks in the list of five(5) National security threats, among them terrorism and banditry.

"In dealing with manufacturers, distributors and retailers of illicit alcohol, second generation liquor, narcotic drugs and other psychotropic substances, the Government will invest the same, if not more energy, ruthlessness and efficiency as it has deployed to fight terrorism, banditry and cross border crime," said the CS.

Kindiki stated that the government is not fighting legitimate alcohol businesses.

"We will protect all those who are compliant and paying taxes. But we will not allow the sale of poisonous substances disguised as alcohol," said Kindiki.

He cautioned all the Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Police officers receiving protection money from illicit alcohol brewers or peddlers of drugs that they will be sacked and not transferred like in the previous years.