Residents and traders of the Kipkeikei area in Cherang’any Constituency, Trans Nzoia County, have unanimously resolved to stop the sale of all forms of alcohol immediately.
The resolution was made during a public baraza led by Trans Nzoia East Deputy County Commissioner Isaac Keter at Kipkeikei trading center.
The residents and traders who attended the highly charged meeting collected signatures to express their resolve.
Speakers led by former nominated member of County Assembly of Trans Nzoia, Milcah Sugut and Eddah Keter, the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Trans Nzoia branch treasurer said alcoholism in the area had reached an alarming rate.
Why Kipkeikei residents closed alcohol joints
They said their resolve is meant to rescue their children, especially boys who are indulging in alcoholism at the expense of other beneficial activities.
“As early as eight in the morning, you will find very young boys already drunk. They can neither go to farms nor do business and thus breed poverty. We have said no to alcohol whether legal or illicit,” they said.
Jackson Kasitet, an elder in the trading center, said no alcohol joint should be licensed.
“We are ready and willing to work with government agencies to ensure that this area is alcohol free,” Kasitet stated.
Margaret Musungu expressed a concern that if alcoholism is allowed to continue, there may not be future generations.
“As mothers, we are getting worried because our sons are not getting married, and yet there are a lot of single girls around. If this trend continues, we might be forced to close ECDE centers,” she stated amidst waves of laughter.
Trans Nzoia East DCC, Isaac Keter, said alcoholism and substance abuse are linked to rising cases of crime in the area.
“For one to drink, he needs money. If such a person does not have a source of income, he will be forced to steal to sustain drinking lifestyle,” Keter stated.
He lauded the Kipkeikei community for taking the bold step. Tuigoin center in Chepsiro/Kiptoror ward is now alcohol joints free center after locals resolved to shutdown all alcohol selling shops.
However, pro-alcohol groups argue that the closure of such outlets is a threat to the county’s own source revenues.
In Trans Nzoia County, an alcoholic drinks license is between Ksh 24,000 and Ksh 30,000.
