The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has said it will implement the 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Mututho Law for operating bars and restaurants.

NACADA boss Stephen Mairori, while speaking during an interview with a local TV station, said the authority will ensure bar and restaurant owners follow the law.

Mairori also said NACADA was in talks with the bar and restaurant owners over the matter to ensure smooth sailing when the law is finally enforced.

He noted there were some establishments that opened earlier than the stipulated time under the guise of being restaurants while in reality selling alcohol.

“That is a conversation we’re having with those that have restaurants and I believe when we roll out it will all be aligned because some people have gotten into this trick where they open in the name of a restaurant but really what they want to do is sell beer,” Mairori said.

While addressing the matter of illicit brew, Mairori revealed the authority’s report, which will be released soon, identified the Western region as the one leading in the number of illicit brew dens.

Mairori also said the Central region comes third in the index, albeit with a high number of poisonous drink cases.

Stephen Mairori. PHOTO | COURTESY

“We’ll be releasing the report soon and I think the leading is Western right now, and I think Central comes around number three, but the difference in Central is that I think the poison levels are very high,” Mairori said.

Mairori noted illicit brew dens and wines & spirits joints sprouting everywhere pose the biggest challenge to the authority in executing its mandate.

“I think the biggest challenge is these illegal illicit brews that are sprouting everywhere, and also the wines and spirits. We’ve made it clear to the law enforcement the hours for the bars to be open is from five in the evening,” he said.

The NACADA boss emphasised on the country being a working nation and not a drinking nation where bars are open early in the morning