Number of liquor outlets to reduce as owners faults the procedure
More than 400 liquor outlets operated in Murang’a in the financial year 2022/2023 without the knowledge of the county government as the rogue employees make money.
The revelation of rogue bar operators were detected during the inspection of outlets that sought licenses for the year 2023/2024 under Governor Irungu Kang’ata administration.
Speaking during the Madaraka Day Celebrations, Kang’ata disclosed that only 1,033 liquor outlets have been approved for licensing in the county after they inspected 2,108 outlets.
Initially, more than 4,000 applicants have been made to the county government before the number got reduced following strict conditions that were imposed.
“ However, the details of the approved bars will be subjected to a seven days public participation to ensure we have done the right thing for the community we represent,” said the governor.
In the past year, there were 2,991 liquor outlets that operated in the nine sub counties, without the knowledge of the illegal traders having penetrated the business.
In Maragua sub county, after the repeat of the inspection of bars exercise followed by claims of rogue committee members demanding Sh 4,000 from the 440 application, only 104 have been approved.
In celebrations presided by county commissioner Partick Mukuria, the governor said traders whose applications had been rejected, have an opportunity to appeal to the county liquor board.
“Reduction of the bars will assist to fight increased alcoholism which has affected many young people,” said the governor.
Mean while, Murang’a County Government recognized Ethan Mutuma, a three year old boy who knows the names of the top leadership in the country and leading nations.
The three year old who was accompanied by Kahumbu MCA Chefman Njoroge was awarded with Sh50,000 by the government as an appreciation.
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