Cabinet Focus: CSs honored as measures to curb Illicit brew get endorsed

 

It was a full tray and a bee hive of activities for President William Ruto’s Cabinet with four of them honoured and awarded for their distinguished and outstanding services to the nation.

The recipients were Njuguna Ndung’u (National Treasury), Aisha Jumwa (Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage), Florence Bore (Labour), and Alice Wahome (Lands), who were bestowed with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart award (second class).

On Wednesday, CS Jumwa highlighted Kenya’s efforts in empowering women and girls through partnerships and enhancing gender-responsive economic and social policies.

In a statement shared during the 68th Commission on the Status of Women conference, Jumwa noted that women constitute 32 per cent of the Cabinet.

“To deal with Gender-Based Violence, the judiciary has established 11 specialised courts which have been equipped with judicial officers. The officers embody trauma-informed approaches to prioritize survivors' safety,” Jumwa said.

Before that, the Cabinet convened at State House to discuss and approve stringent measures to tackle the problem of illicit alcohol and drug abuse in the nation.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, saw the endorsement of a set of 25-point enforcement measures aimed at addressing this pressing issue.

Among the 25 measures was the 21-day suspension of all 52 licenses and permits issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Kenya Bureau of Standards.

"In pursuit of the Administration's commitment of securing the health and well-being of all Kenyans, Cabinet was apprised of the progress made in the nationwide enforcement measures aimed at addressing access and consumption of killer brews, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances," the dispatch from Cabinet read.

There was also the imposition of penalties on public or private officials who contribute to the death or material injury of persons through the sale of dangerous alcohol, drugs, or other substances.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki addressing alcohol manufacturers at the GSU Training School in Embakasi , Nairobi on March 12, 2024

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki addressing alcohol manufacturers at the GSU Training School in Embakasi , Nairobi on March 12, 2024

On Tuesday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki convened a meeting with representatives from the alcohol industry, regulators, and various government agencies.

During the discussion, the CS emphasized that the measures announced by the Government last week to combat illicit liquor and narcotic drugs are firm and cannot be changed through negotiation.

Kindiki clarified that the 25-point policy and operational guidelines are not intended to declare war on businesses, enterprises, or revenue collection.

Rather, they aim to decisively address the harmful effects of poisonous and toxic substances that are endangering lives and undermining the future of the country.

The Cabinet also announced plans to enforce new measures to secure residential apartments, lodgings and Airbnb rentals.

This comes after an uproar from Kenyans over the surging cases of murder happening at Airbnb.

For instance, the cabinet agreed that the short-term stay houses should maintain Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras in all common areas.

by MAGDALINE SAYA