The number of people selling alcohol out of their homes has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the practice being illegal in Kenya. Now, the new government plans to put a stop to these illegal sales.
This is not the only action the Ruto-government is setting up in their effort to protect more people from alcohol harm. The government will also take action against unlicensed bars and bars operating beyond the regulated hours.
We have noted with concern that some bars open early in the morning and operate way beyond the closure time,” said David Tegutwa, Mwala Deputy County Commissioner, as per Kenya News Agency.
David Tegutwa, Deputy Commissioner, Mwala
The Deputy County Commissioner who was speaking in Masii, at the validation exercise of Kenya World Vision programs for the 2022/23 financial year, emphasized that there is a need to regulate the alcohol industry. He pointed out that there is a high number of bars in the sub-county.
In the Kyamunga area, for example, there are no other existing business premises apart from bars. This is a sad state of affairs,” said David Tegutwa, Mwala Deputy County Commissioner, as per Kenya News Agency.
David Tegutwa, Deputy Commissioner, Mwala
As per Wikipedia, Mwala Constituency is one of the eight electoral constituencies in Machakos County, Kenya.
Masii is a small town in Kenya’s Machakos County, Kenya.
Machakos County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya. It borders Nairobi and Kiambu counties to the west, Embu to the north, Kitui to the east, Makueni to the south, Kajiado to the southwest, and Muranga and Kirinyaga to the northwest.
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Official functions are held alcohol-free under the guidance of the new Kenyan President
As Movendi International previously reported, newly elected Kenyan President Mr. William Ruto and his Vice President Rigathi Gachagua, are both known for leading an alcohol-free life. The President was clear on his intention to denormalize alcohol at the parliament.
The President has stayed true to his stance and no longer serves alcohol at official functions of the government.
Alcohol harm, policy and alcohol industry interference in Kenya
As the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, in Kenya, almost half (49.7%) of young people between 15 to 19 years of age who use alcohol engage in binge alcohol consumption. The figures are even higher (59.1%) for young boys. 7.1% of Kenyan men suffer from alcohol use disorders.
In 2016, the alcohol burden was heavily affecting Kenyan communities. Alcohol caused:
- 987 deaths due to liver cirrhosis,
- 2223 deaths due to road traffic injuries, and
- 964 deaths due to cancer.
Despite the heavy harm caused by the products and practices of the alcohol industry Kenya does not have a written national alcohol policy. But since 2010 the comprehensive “Mututho Law” is in place – the best alcohol law in the African region.
In recent years Kenya has started to improve alcohol policy solutions, specifically by increasing alcohol taxes and adjusting the tax to inflation.
The alcohol industry has been lobbying against any improvements to alcohol taxes and other policy solutions in Kenya. This further depicts the importance of implementing a comprehensive alcohol policy free from industry interference in Kenya.
Sources
Kenya News Agency: “Government To Crackdown On Homesteads Selling Alcohol“
The Standard: “‘Tea-totalers’: Sonko claims Ruto’s government only serves tea, no alcohol“
