Lamu County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing board has today held a sensitisation forum with Lamu West Subcounty bar owners on licensing, regulation and issues affecting the liquor industry for a safer and dignified county.

While making his remarks, Lamu Deputy Governor Raphael Munyua indicated that Governor Issa Timamy administration was committed to ensuring that there’s a good working relationship between the county and traders.

He further thanked bar owners for their willingness to comply with the law noting that alcoholic drinks consumers cannot be guaranteed their safety if outlets are not regulated.

“Most of the unlicensed premises contribute greatly to the proliferation of illicit and counterfeit alcoholic drinks and that’s what we want to regulate” noted the DG.

Alcoholic Drinks and Licensing board Chair Mr. Kasim Athman assured traders that the board was keen to ensure bars are regulated to enable them to operate in a dignified manner, provide a conducive environment for the businesses as well as protect people in residential areas.

Alcoholic Drinks and Licensing Director Mr. Khamis Kaviha added that the licensing and regulation will guard against the selling of illicit and counterfeit brews and protect people from consumption of the substandard alcoholic brands that subject our people to health hazards.

Bar owners who have until 1st April 2024 to comply, lauded the County Government initiative in organising the sensitisation forum and commited to comply and protect the sector that employs thousands of people in the county.

The forum is being attended by bar operators from Lamu West Sub-County and is being chaired by Deputy Governor Raphael Munyua and is coordinated by the Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Committee led by the Board Chair Mr. Kasim Athman, Director Mr. Khamisi Kaviha and committee members.

Also in attendance were officers from the Department of Public Health, Ward Administrators, NEMA, Provincial Administration led by the DCC among others.

_Ends_

For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at communication@lamu.go.ke