Kiambu County Issues Directives on Liquor License Renewals; Licenses to Be Reviewed Under Existing Laws as it Prepares for New Legislation

Kiambu County has announced new directives for the renewal of all alcohol licenses within the county. According to a Gazette Notice dated Friday, January 10, County Executive Committee Member for Administration and Public Service Margaret Ruinge has mandated that all pending licenses be reviewed under the 2022 laws. This review will occur while awaiting the formation of ward committees responsible for the review under the new legislation enacted last year.

“It is directed that all pending applications for licenses will be reviewed as earlier provided under the Kiambu County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (Revised 2022) pending the constitution of the Ward Committees as provided under the Kiambu County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2024,” the notice read.

Ruinge emphasized that the county will adhere to past legal guidelines for reviewing licenses as Kiambu prepares to implement new legislation. Ward Committees will also be responsible for handling appeals related to license grants.

According to the new Kiambu County Alcoholic Drinks Bill 2024, any person intending to produce, manufacture, or distribute alcoholic drinks in the county, or operate an establishment selling alcoholic drinks, must submit an application in the prescribed form to the ward committee or ward representative where the premises are located. Applicants must also pay a prescribed fee.

The new law requires the Ward Committee to issue a notice listing the names of all applicants, types of licenses applied for, premises in question, and the time, date, and place of the committee meeting. This notice must be published at the offices of the Ward Administrator for at least 21 consecutive days and posted conspicuously near the applicant’s premises.

Within thirty days of the notice issuance, the licensing officer must present a report on the applicants’ suitability to the ward committee. The committee will then review the officer’s report and decide whether to approve or deny the liquor licenses.