Post: Government steps up fight against illicit brews in Trans Nzoia

The national government has launched an all-inclusive approach in the fight against illegal brews in Trans Nzoia County.Speaking at Kitale National Polytechnic while meeting National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi said the government will leave no stone unturned in the quest to ensure illicit brews are cleared off the market.Urging the public to own and join the bandwagon, Oyagi said the fight will only achieve desired results if there is a collective effort.He instructed chiefs to ensure that names of all those involved in preparation and even selling of illicit brews at the grassroots is tabulated with an intention of bringing them on board.'I am very much informed chiefs know all those people who are involved in preparation and selling of illicit brews. We want to get their names so that we start off the rehabilitation process.We will strive to reach out to them since they are an important element in the fight. We will talk to them with a view of making them understand why the government is up in arms with the business,' he said.After striking a consensus, Oyagi revealed that the vendors will be sensitized and linked to National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and other bodies which can help them start alternative income generating ventures.'We are aware most of those who engage in this illegal business use the excuse that they don't have means of meeting family obligations. However, they forget that there are other legal ventures they can take part in to generate income. We are going to roll out a series of sensitization programmes targeting the brewers and the consumers alike,' he said.Challenging the administrators to familiarize themselves with government policies and programs, Oyagi said it would be a pity for local administrators as government representatives at the grassroots not to know the government manifesto.Reading a riot act to those not ready to understand and implement government polici es and programmes, Oyagi said it would be prudent for the said officers to pack and exit before being fired.'It will be very ironical to find an administrator who is a government representative at the grassroots being unable to articulate government policies and programs.I am challenging any of you who doesn't know what the manifesto of the current government is to move with speed and get informed failure to which may result to sanctions,' he said.Source: Kenya News Agency