Nacada Chairman John Mututho to petition House over sale of drinks in plastic packs

Nacada Chairman John Mututho (right) and  Murang’a County Education Executive Mr David Waweru. [PHOTO: BONIFACE GIKAND/STANDARD

By Boniface Gikandi and Antony Gitonga

National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) will petition Parliament to amend a clause that allows sale of alcohol packed in plastic containers.

On Tuesday, the newly appointed Nacada Chairman Mr John Mututho said he was concerned over the sale of brews packed in plastic containers as they contributed to the rapid cases of alcoholism in the country.

At the same time, the authority sounded a warning to manufactures of brews that they risk being prosecuted if they failed to register their products with Nacada.

Illicit brews

In his first visit to Murang’a County since his appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Mututho said he was committed to fight illicit brews and ensure the clause allowing sale of brews in plastic containers was amended.

He said his visit to Murang’a was meant to appreciate work spear headed by Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria in fighting illicit brews.

“The players in the liquor sector have only two options to follow the alcoholic drinks control act to the letter or remain in jail for years,” said Mututho.

“As Nacada, we are pursuing various individuals who are being bribed by traders to allow them ignore the law,” said Mututho who was accompanied by Murang’a County Education executive Mr David Waweru.

On use of African brews, he said the county governments were free to regulate them provided the manufactures observed hygiene.

Mututho challenged Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua to come up with stringent laws adding majority of fortified wines came from the county.