NACADA wants Counties to review bar licensing guidelines – KBC

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) CEO Victor Okioma has appealed to the County Governments to review licensing guidelines for bars and restaurants to include plot numbers and exact locations.

Speaking after meeting with Northeastern regional multi-agency teams, Okioma said some people are operating bars near schools which is illegal.

“The licenses do not indicate the premises and plot numbers. Some people are taking this advantage and opening 10 bars with only one license,” Okioma said

“Counties needs to be keen about the premises where the bars are operating. We also need to know what the bars are selling in those premises and must confer to minimum health requirement,” He added

Okioma dismissed those pushing for legalization of Marijuana saying the reasons they are citing don’t hold water.

“Marijuana is one of the most problematic drugs in the Country currently. When you talk about licensing Marijuana recreation you lose focus. Currently Marijuana is only allowed for medical and scientific reasons” He said

“Marijuana is the most abused narcotic and leading in drug-caused disorders in the Country,” he warned

North Eastern Regional commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana said that security teams in the region will do the best to stop drug trafficking in the region.

Ndalana however noted that most of the drugs are being sold in the neighboring Somalia warning of a possible involvement in the trade by Al shabaab.

The meeting brought together all County Commissioners and County Police Commanders from the region.