Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has started a new war on alcoholism, announcing the revocation of licenses to bars selling illicit brew in the country.

The president said that Kenya has a drinking problem, but central Kenya – his home region – is the most affect by addiction to illicit alcohol that taken too many young lives.

“We cannot allow this to continue”, said Mr Kenyatta when he met politicians from the central region at State House, Nairobi on Wednesday.

He also announced a four-day crackdown to rid the region of what he described as “the business of death”, which he said will be extended to the rest of the country.

Last month, the National Campaign and Drug Abuse Agency (NACADA), charged with leading the war against drugs and substance abuse, was put under the spotlight after 60 people died, with 45 being from central Kenya alone.

According to latest figures, the death toll resulting from consuming illicit brew now stands at 80 countrywide.

“Nobody has a licence to kill other Kenyans. All these businesses must be closed,” President Kenyatta said.

He announced that the war will now be led by the paramilitary forces, the General Service Unit (GSU), working closely with local leaders to close all outlets selling “moonshine” in the country.

“As elected leaders, you know where and who is behind these brews,” said Kenyatta, who told the MPs present that they all have access to his office in case they face any challenges in this new campaign.

“My phone will be open 24 hours this weekend. Call me when you need me,” he added.

He said that nobody will be spared, especially those in the Provincial Administration and the police force, should they try to frustrate the new campaign by protecting brewers and sellers of illicit brew.

“Any officer who does not co-operate must be dismissed on the spot. We cannot just continue talking,” he said.