Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has appointed eight people to the Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control Licensing Board.
In a gazette notice dated March 1, Sakaja said the enlisted persons will serve as Board and Sub-County Liquor Board Committee Members for a period of three years.
Among them include Commissioner of Police Gregory Mutise and Deputy County Commissioner James Kaman.
Others include Principal Public Health Officer Margaret Sunguti, chairman Embakasi East Humphrey Muhanji , chairman Lang’ata Pablo Karanja and Zedekiah Adallo Obonyo from Embakasi West.
“The previous appointments of Abdallah Ali Mwangi, Anthony Waithaka and Jee Muinuri are revoked,” read the notice in part.
He also selected National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) region boss James Macharia and Joe Muiruri.
Sakaja Budget and Economic Forum List
Sakaja also revealed the new members of the Nairobi City Budget and Economic Forum.
In the notice, Hosea Kili will represent people Living with disabilities while George Abwayo has been picked to stand for the hustlers.
Further, Hussein Ahmed is the business appointee, Asena Morgan will represent academia while Stephen Njuguna and Maulid Abdala have been appointed to represent religious institutions.
Lucy Wangui will represent the youth, Damaris Sindavi is the women appointee, Mwaniki James will represent professionals and Dr Emmanuel Mulaa Opondo will represent the medics.
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Closure of Bars Near Bus Stations
These appointments come after Sakaja ordered County Security Chief Officer Tony Kimani to ensure all drinking joints located around bus stations are closed within seven days.
Speaking on February 23, Sakaja said the decision was due to National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) report showing the number of deaths in the county and the causes which he said was mainly because of alcohol.
“If I show you the report, I was sent today by a friend from NTSA, the extent of fatalities on our roads…we are losing too many people, watu wanakufa (people are dying) and it is mainly because of alcohol,” said Sakaja.
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Additionally, he said the drivers and touts have become habitual drinkers emphasizing that the security will remove the wines and spirits located at the stages within a week.
“Tony, you have my instructions to clear all the wines and spirits which have turned out to be bars…clear them from the terminus completely. I am giving you seven days. They are not in the right place,” he said.
By February 26, the security officials had arrested 23 culprits and closed down 141 wines and spirits outlets operating near bus stations in Starehe constituency.
The governor was speaking during a meeting with the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) and officials from the NTSA.
