Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that the continued spread of illegal brews and drug abuse is eroding community safety, urging chiefs and assistant chiefs to take firmer action at the local level.
Addressing worshippers at AIC Riwo Church in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County on Sunday, Murkomen said the problem has grown into a serious threat to public health and social order.
He noted that defeating illicit alcohol and narcotics requires joint action by the national government, faith institutions and the public.
He said chiefs and assistant chiefs remain the first line of defence in enforcing the law and protecting families from the damage caused by illegal substances.
According to Murkomen, their presence at the grassroots places them in a strong position to stop the trade before it harms communities.
The Cabinet Secretary said Trans Nzoia is among counties recording high cases of illegal alcohol and drug abuse, a trend he said cannot be allowed to continue.
He added that the county had been flagged during recent security reviews and engagements held under the Jukwaa la Usalama forums.
“For Kenya to be secure and peaceful, we must eradicate illegal brews and drugs. We agreed during the Jukwaa la Usalama in Trans Nzoia that the county must be removed from the list of those topping in prevalence,” Murkomen said.
He urged local administrators to closely work with security agencies to trace and dismantle groups involved in brewing, transporting and selling illegal alcohol and drugs.
The CS cautioned that the government would not tolerate cooperation with criminal networks or failure to act by those entrusted with public authority.
Murkomen also called on the church to actively guide young people, saying faith institutions still play an important role in shaping values and behaviour. He encouraged religious leaders to adopt practical methods that respond to issues affecting the youth, including unemployment, peer pressure and substance abuse.
He further appealed to parents to fully take up their role in raising children, warning against relying entirely on schools. He said strong parenting is key to preventing young people from drifting into drug use and crime.
Illegal alcohol continues to pose serious health, social and economic risks across the country. Such brews are often produced, sold or distributed outside the law and include home-made spirits, fake branded drinks and smuggled alcohol that escape safety checks, taxes and quality standards.
Many consumers are drawn to illicit alcohol because it is cheaper and easier to access than licensed products. Health experts warn that some of these drinks contain harmful substances that can cause poisoning, blindness or death.
Widespread use has also been linked to crime, domestic violence and reduced productivity.
During recent Jukwaa la Usalama security forums, Murkomen highlighted the scale of the illegal alcohol problem and its link to wider security challenges. Officials noted that several counties still record high consumption levels, driven by weak enforcement and, in some cases, collusion by dishonest officials.
As part of actions discussed at the forums, the government has rolled out measures aimed at curbing the production and sale of illicit alcohol.
