Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has raised concerns over the mushrooming number of liquor dens near schools in the county.
Cheruiyot says the outlets pose a huge threat to students’ safety and academic activities, citing a recent report by NACADA.
Speaking in the area, he noted that although revenue is key, the county should find other sources rather than relying on liquor permits.
“We have witnessed a rising number of liquor outlets near schools in this region. Such outlets threaten learning activities and security,” said Cheruiyot.
The Senate majority leader urged Members of the County Assembly to engage the executive, saying no economy can grow through the liquor trade.
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“I want to ask Members of the County Assembly to engage the executive on how to tame this trend. Although counties depend on revenue to run, we must also know that no economy can grow due to liquor trade,” he said.
He challenged the outlets’ owners to fully observe the law, which, among other things, states that no such outlet should operate within 300 meters of a learning institution.
“In some areas, especially Kipkelion East and Kipkelion West, the number of bars and liquor joints is higher than that of any other business. This is worrying and must stop,” added Cheruiyot.
Cheruiyot also decried the high number of liquor outlets exceeding that of other businesses in parts of the county, especially Kipkelion East and Kipkelion West, appealing for concerted efforts to succeed.
County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo, for his part, reiterated his commitment to ending the sale and consumption of drugs and illicit brews among students, further challenging the county government to play its part in this effort.
“In a place where a liquor joint is near a school and no report has been made, I presume the business belongs to the head teacher. Where a report has been made about a bar or liquor joint operating near a school and no action has been taken, I presume that the business belongs to the chief or any other government officer,” said Kitiyo.
By Kimutai Langat
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