Africa-Press – Kenya. Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on chiefs and assistant chiefs to intensify the fight against illegal brews and drug abuse.
The CS noted that the vice continues to undermine public health, security and social stability across the country.
Speaking at AIC Riwo Church in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County, Murkomen said the war against illicit alcohol and narcotics requires a coordinated approach involving the national government, the church and the wider community.
He emphasised that grassroots administrators play a critical role in enforcing the law and protecting communities from the harmful effects of illegal substances.
The CS noted that Trans Nzoia is among the counties with the highest prevalence of illicit alcohol and drug abuse, a situation he described as unacceptable.
He said the county had been flagged during recent security assessments and discussions held under the Jukwaa la Usalama forums.
“For Kenya to be secure and peaceful, we must eradicate illegal brews and drugs. We agreed during the Jukwaa la Usalama in Trans Nzoia that the county must be removed from the list of those topping in prevalence,” said Murkomen.
He urged chiefs and assistant chiefs to work closely with security agencies to identify and dismantle networks involved in the production and distribution of illegal alcohol and drugs, warning that the government would not tolerate collusion or lax enforcement by local administrators.
Murkomen also called on the church to take a leading role in shaping the character and values of young people, saying faith-based institutions remain influential in guiding moral behaviour.
He encouraged religious leaders to adopt modern and practical approaches that speak to the realities facing today’s youth, including unemployment, peer pressure and substance abuse.
In addition, the CS appealed to parents to take full responsibility for raising their children, cautioning against leaving the task entirely to schools.
He said strong parenting was essential in preventing young people from falling into drug abuse and crime.
Illicit alcohol remains a growing problem in Kenya, posing serious public health, social and economic challenges.
The brews are often manufactured, distributed or sold outside the regulated legal framework and include home-brewed spirits, counterfeit branded products and smuggled alcohol that evade quality controls, taxation and safety standards.
Many consumers turn to illicit alcohol because it is cheaper and more accessible than licensed alternatives. However, health experts warn that some of these brews contain toxic substances that can cause poisoning, blindness and death. Widespread abuse has also been linked to increased crime, domestic violence and loss of productivity.
During recent Jukwaa la Usalama security forums, Murkomen highlighted the scale of the illicit alcohol menace and its link to broader security concerns.
Officials noted that several counties continue to record high levels of illegal brew consumption, fuelled by weak enforcement and, in some cases, collusion by unscrupulous officials.
As part of measures discussed at the forums, the government has rolled out initiatives targeting the production and sale of illicit alcohol.
