Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has told police officers to resign from the service if they want to own and run bars. The ultimatum is part of efforts to combat illicit alcohol and drug abuse.
According to the CS, selling alcohol while also engaging in the fight against the illicit trade amounted to a clear case of conflict of interest.
While addressing the security officers on Friday, Kindiki further emphasized the need for collaboration in the fight against the illicit trade.
“Security officers can’t effectively enforce directives to crack down on those involved in brewing and selling poisonous liquor if they themselves are owners of bars and outlets selling such toxic substances,” Kindiki stated.
Kindiki stressed the importance of making a choice between being a bar owner or a security officer. He further reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to tackling the vice until it is completely eradicated.
“This operation to eradicate the menace of illicit alcohol and drug abuse is not temporary. It will persist until the problem is fully addressed,” affirmed Kindiki.
He emphasized the imperative for diligence among the officers leading the operation, asserting that it is a security operation devoid of any tolerance for laxity.
“In the past, political interference hindered efforts to combat the manufacturing, trade, and consumption of illicit liquor. This time, it is unequivocally a security operation,” added Kindiki.
The Interior CS conducted an early morning consultative forum in Kiambu with the Kiambu County Security and Intelligence Committee to discuss the commencement of the Nationwide Crackdown on the manufacture, distribution, sale, and consumption of illicit liquor, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances.
