The Mountain Journal
A number of liquor outlets in Murang’a are set to be reduced by a big margin in efforts to tame alcoholism.
In six sub-counties, the liquor committees approved only 927 outlets, rejecting another 860 due to issues related to insecurity, poor hygiene, and breach of regulations among others.
Presently, there are 2,291 licensed liquor outlets in the county perceived to be more than churches and schools combined.
Deputy County Secretary Mr Bernard Wanyoike said they are interested in ensuring the bars will be in marketplaces and not in the villages.
In the Maragua sub-county, the inspection exercise was ordered to be repeated following concerns related to favoritism, and bribery by the committee members.
The absence of the deputy county commissioner Mr Boniface Gitonga, he said in the inspection led to the repeat of the exercise after complaints of bribery emerged in Kamahuha and Maragua divisions, disclosed Wanyoike.
In Maragua sub-county, there were 608 bar operators who had applied for the licenses.
During the application process, Kiharu had 445 outlets inspected and emerged as the highest followed by Gatanga with 310.
In Kiharu, there will be only 208 bars as 237 applications were rejected by the committee.
Murang’a South’s initial report indicated the committee before the exercise stalled had approved 57 outlets after 120 underwent inspection.
Wanyoike said in Kigumo there will be operational 103 outlets after another 114 were ordered to close after they failed to meet the test.
” Kangema there will be 111 bars, Mathioya 87 bars, Kandara and Gatanga 117 bars,” said Wanyoike after they held a meeting with County Commissioner Patrick Mukuria.
Last week, Governor Irungu Kang’ata said he was interested in ensuring Murang’a made a name in development and growth instead of being rated in alcoholism.
” We need to listen to the public and they gave conditions that should be followed in the licensing of outlets,” said Kang’ata.
The present situation in Murang’a is that in
Kiharu has 439 bars, Murang’a South 487 bars, Kigumo 319, Kandara 377, Kangema 156.
Other licensed premises are Gatanga 406, and Mathioya 207.
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