Only 70 bars have been cleared to operate in Mwea West, Kirinyaga County, out of the 330 outlets in the region.
According to the new Mwea-west sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Lawrence Omondi, the area had 330 operational bars before a recent incident where 17 people died after consuming illegal brew in Kangai and Kandongu villages.
On Wednesday, Omondi stated that Kangai ward, where a high number of people died after consuming the alcohol had 68 bars operating but right now only 18 bars have been cleared.
“50 bars have been closed in Kangai ward and no bars are operating in the villages and we will not allow exposure of children to illicit alcohol and drugs,’ Omondi said.
The County Government of Kirinyaga re-opened bars last week Friday, after conducting a fresh verification process.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru announced closure of bars in the county on February 17 during the burial of 17 people from Kangai and Kandongu villages, who died after consuming deadly alcohol suspected to have been laced with ethanol.
Mwea-west DCC said no bar will be allowed to operate without being given a clean bill of health and being issued with the 2024 licence.
“I am not working alone, we are working with the county government, NACADA among others,” Omondi said.
