NAIROBI, Kenya, October 7 – The Government is stepping up its fight against illicit alcohol and drugs through a multi-agency approach involving county governments, law enforcement agencies, regulators and local communities.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the Government will work more closely with county governments because they are responsible for trade, licensing and control of businesses in the sector.

Speaking on Wednesday at his Karen residence, Kindiki said the Interior Ministry and the Council of Governors will hold a sector forum to strengthen cooperation in the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs.

He said he would later chair a special session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) to advance the initiative.

“This is work that has been ongoing, but we want to scale it up,” Kindiki said.

He praised law enforcement and regulatory agencies for their work under the multi-agency approach launched after President William Ruto directed the Government in December to intensify the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs.

Kindiki cited the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the police and the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) as key agencies involved in the crackdown.

The ANU currently has 200 officers, with the Government planning to increase the number to 700. Training of additional officers is already underway.

“We are going to provide equipment for the agencies,” Kindiki said.

He said the Government would also support agencies including the Government Chemist, NACADA, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority and the Kenya Bureau of Standards.

Kindiki warned Government officials against taking bribes or failing to act against businesses involved in the production and sale of illicit products.

“Any official of the Government of Kenya involved in enforcement who compromises or allows this kind of behaviour of dangerous products being manufactured in some places and being sold to the public, and does not take action, will face the consequences of the law,” he said.

The Deputy President also called for greater involvement of local communities in the crackdown, saying residents can help authorities identify people involved in illegal activities.

“The enforcement agencies, the regulatory agencies, have been directed to work with the communities at the local levels to fine-tune intelligence gathering,” he said.

The Government will also strengthen controls on ethanol, including monitoring imported ethanol and preventing the illegal importation or diversion of industrial ethanol for use in making illicit alcohol.

Kindiki said the initiative will bring together the Government, industry players, business owners and communities in a coordinated effort to tackle illicit alcohol and drug abuse.

“This is a multi-sectoral zero-tolerance initiative,” he said.