By GKP News Desk
The Council of Governors (CoG) is seeking the support of religious leaders in a renewed nationwide campaign against illicit alcohol, amid growing concerns over its impact on young people.
CoG chairperson and Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said the Church has a critical role in safeguarding the country’s moral fabric and should take a leading role in condemning illicit brews and advocating for their complete elimination.
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Speaking in Meru during a meeting with clergy from the region, Njuki said the Mount Kenya region was among the areas hardest hit by the menace, making the involvement of religious leaders particularly important.
He said the Church’s influence and the trust communities have in religious leaders could help strengthen efforts to combat alcohol abuse and discourage the consumption of illicit brews.
Njuki said the Council of Governors was part of a task force chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, which is spearheading interventions to address the problem.
He added that key resolutions reached by the task force would be implemented across the country’s 47 counties to curb the spread of illicit alcohol and mitigate its effects.
Among the immediate interventions is a crackdown on illegal manufacturers and distributors, including individuals who have converted their homes into unlicensed brewing operations.
Njuki said county governments had directed their enforcement officers to intensify surveillance and take action against such establishments.
The governor also called for tighter controls in the issuance of licences to alcohol manufacturers and distributors, saying applicants should undergo proper scrutiny to ensure they meet all legal requirements.
He said authorities should also enforce regulations governing the proximity of alcohol outlets and manufacturing facilities to schools and churches to protect children and other vulnerable groups.
