Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said the government has cancelled the licences of eight second-generation alcohol manufacturers as part of intensified efforts to dismantle cartels involved in illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs.
Kindiki said the eight companies are among 36 manufacturers whose licences were suspended in 2024 for failing to comply with public health, environmental, security and quality regulations.
He said 26 manufacturers that subsequently complied with the requirements will undergo fresh inspections with immediate effect.
“The Government has stepped up the war against cartels involved in illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs,” Kindiki said, adding that enforcement will continue through covert intelligence operations under a centralised multi-agency command.
The Deputy President said the government has also established a Multi-Sectoral High-Level Team to coordinate efforts against illicit alcohol and drug cartels.
The team, which will be chaired by Kindiki, will meet every two weeks and bring together government agencies, industry representatives and local communities to monitor enforcement operations.
According to Kindiki, the team will also help identify criminal cartels and support the rehabilitation of victims of crime associated with illicit alcohol and drug networks.
The government is further planning legislative changes to tighten controls on ethanol, a key ingredient in alcohol production.
Kindiki said new legislative measures will be recommended within one month to regulate the importation of ethanol and introduce tougher measures against those who adulterate alcohol or divert ethanol intended for industrial use.
The crackdown will also target individuals involved in manufacturing illicit alcohol in local communities and urban areas.
Kindiki said enforcement agencies will identify the operators, severely punish those found culpable and dismantle the networks supporting the illegal trade.
He further warned that the government’s Zero Tolerance Initiative against illicit alcohol and drug cartels would not allow political or other interference.
“The Zero Tolerance Initiative to illicit alcohol and drug cartels will not entertain any political or other interferences whatsoever,” Kindiki said.
The measures announced by the Deputy President come as the government steps up multi-agency enforcement against illicit alcohol and narcotics, with a focus on both manufacturers and the networks involved in distributing illegal products.