Kirinyaga Members of County Assembly unanimously passed the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023, which will henceforth establish a framework for licensing, regulation and production of alcoholic drinks in the county.
The Bill comes as a relief to residents who have been negatively affected by the ramifications of illicit liquor as witnessed recently, where at least 20 people lost their lives in Kangai Ward.
It also comes at a time when legitimate liquor traders have been affected by the conduct of their illegitimate business colleagues forcing the government to close outlets en masse.
Speaking after the bill was passed Assembly Speaker Muteti Murimi said any trader who will sell liquor to children or persons under the age of eighteen will henceforth serve a jail term not exceeding five years or pay a fine not exceeding Ksh.500,000.
Speaking at his office, Muteti said traders who manufacture, distribute or sell alcoholic drinks without a license have also not been spared as they will be convicted for a jail term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding Ksh.50, 000.
Hawking of alcoholic drinks has also been prohibited in the new law and those found culpable will serve a jail term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding Ksh.100,000 or both.
The Bill has also prescribed hefty punishment to those selling alcoholic drinks 300 meters from residential areas, learning institutions and places of worship. Those who contravene the aforementioned requirement will be liable for a fine not exceeding Ksh.100,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years or both.
On administration, it has recommended establishment of a Directorate of Alcoholic drinks control which will be headed by a director who will be competitively recruited by the County Public Service Board.
The Director, according to the Bill, must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a University recognized in Kenya alongside meeting requirements of chapter six of the Constitution.
It has also recommended formation of a County Alcoholics Drinks Control Committee which shall be headed by a Chairperson who shall be appointed by the Governor and approved by the County Assembly.
County assembly of Kirinyaga has passed the act to help to fight deadly liquor in the region.
According to Mukure MCA Thomas Muriuki, the law allows punitive measures to be taken against manufacturers and distributors in the county.
Kangai ward MCA James Njiru Wambu where over 20 people died after consuming deadly alcohol said this will help in reducing in a big way the abuse of alcohol in the region.
The sentiments were echoed by Tebere MCA Peter Karinga and nominated MCA Lucy Njeri who said the alcohol control act will curb the infiltration of liquor causing considerable suffering to the locals in the region.
“Women have been complaining about their husbands but right now they have something to celebrate,” Njeri said.
Ward administrators who were previously not part of the Sub County Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee, will henceforth be part of the decision making table at the Sub County level where the sub county administrator will be the chairperson.
Governor Anne Waiguru is expected to assent to the two Bills within 14 days.
