Uasin Gishu County Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim has called for an enhanced collaboration among on all key agencies and stakeholders in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse.
Dr. Bii, while addressing a multi-agency team during the launch of the Uasin Gishu County Alcohol And Drug Control Action Plan noted that alcohol and drug abuse remains a major challenge to the socio economic development of the society, having caused addiction, mental incapacitation, property loss, broken families and deaths and now becoming a threat that will affect many generations to come.
“The launch today signifies major interventions that we are taking as a government to secure our people.
There are emerging trends where illicit brew is notably sold cheaply and this has really spread in the market hence we need to stop the menace immediately. We are carrying out an intelligence based intervention where we are taking every recommendation to key actors for effective action plan,” the Governor said.
“I am giving a warning to all alcohol vendors to ensure that they have licenses and also this is a clear call for prosecution of those operating unlicensed outlets,” he added.
Dr. Bii, also added that his government has been and continues working in synergy with other government agencies to restore a dignified society to the people.
Eldoret night life
He further expressed his concerns over majority of youth who have a very active night life in Eldoret City and called on youth to exercise control in consumption of alcohol and take part in activities that enhance their livelihoods.
“We are establishing rehabilitation centres to manage addiction cases and also create programmes to empower them while also conducting sensitization programmes to our people,” said Dr. Bii
In addition, he urged the enforcement and compliance team to look into the products sold in the licensed outlets to establish its brand identity and if its legit for consumption.
“The hours of operation should also be within the provided law,” emphasised Dr. Bii.
Governor Bii, also gave an elaborate plan by the County Government leadership through the Alcoholic Drinks Control Board Directorate headed by Director Koiya Arap Maiyo, on supporting reformed brewers through funding support to establish other sources of income to sustain their livelihoods.
County Commissioner Dr. Edison Nyale, noted that the team is in the process of profiling all illicit brewers to establish the scope of the supplies and their markets in the region.
On his part, Chief Magistrate Adv. Dennis Mikoyan, called on a multidisciplinary engagement with the Judiciary with an intention to review arrests and prosecution guidelines on illicit trade, where he also noted that Uasin Gishu has been added two more courts, hence effectiveness has been enhanced.
The launch attended by hundreds of leaders also saw in attendance the County Secretary Edwin Bett, CECM Health Abraham Serem, Chief Officer Social Services Eunice Suter, Chief Officer- Administration Mark Some, as well as officials from KRA, NACADA, NGAO, Anti Counterfeit Authority, KEBS, Deputy County Commissioners, Sub County Administrators and Police officers.
