Mushrooming entertainment joints set up near residential estates within Eldoret town might soon be shut down.
This follows a warning shot that Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim issued during the 2022 Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Speaking during the celebrations held at Central Primary School Grounds, Chelilim said licenses for such entertainment joints will be revoked.
“Those that have set up bars near places where people live we shall revoke their licenses. We have people that have moved out of the CBD because of the noise and all manner of things then you follow them with alcohol, bar and discos, we will not accept that,” the county boss said.
Eldoret has in recent months witnessed an unprecedented rise in entertainment joints, some of which are within residential estates.
Illegal brews dens in Eldoret
Aside from the rising number of clubs and entertainment joints in Eldoret, there has also been a growing concern over the high number of illegal brew dens not only within the urban areas but also in the villages.
It is an issue Governor Chelilim said had reached his desk and pointed out that they had agreed with the county commissioner to address it.
“We this morning had a discussion with the County Commissioner and we agreed that we will mount an operation against those involved in the illegal business,” the governor said.
On his part, the county commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale said the operation to flush out illegal alcohol in the county had already been rolled out with a successful raid held in Kimumu, Langas, Spain, Munyaka and King’ong’o among others.
“We have decided it is no longer business as usual. Recently, we busted a four-bedroom house that had been turned into an illegal alcohol factory and so far we are making good progress,” Dr Nyale said.
The two top county officials challenged those involved in the illegal business to stop and engage in other legal trade before it is too late.
“The government has money that supports anyone willing to do legitimate business. Those in the illegal alcohol business should take advantage of that or we will get to them,” said the county security boss.
