Alcohol statistics not useful when Kebs, users, traders ignore warnings

-Editorial

If the figures John Mututho, the chairman of National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada) is bandying about are true, then Kenyans need to be very afraid. Mr Mututho claims that out of the 500 brands of alcohol sold across the country, only 50 are known to Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs).

The only logical conclusion to be drawn from these figures is that the bulk of the alcoholic drinks dispensed so liberally in bars, shops and supermarkets could be containing anything. The surprise then is not the number of people who have lost their lives, sight or even been maimed in various ways as a result of ingesting poisonous alcoholic drinks, but how many more have escaped this not-so-silent killer.

Unscrupulous traders

The obvious question that arises is; just where are the statutory authorities who are mandated — and paid quite handsomely — to ensure such substances that are harmful to human health are not put on the market?

The tired excuse that there are not enough inspectors just will not wash this time round because it does not take a platoon of officers to identify the manufacturers of such drinks and haul them to court.

Yet, tragically, the only time such unscrupulous business people are ever — belatedly — taken to court is after scores of revellers have died while others lie comatose in hospital.

There is reason to believe that these malefactors are released as soon as they are arrested.

Suicidal

The greater tragedy is that these people will be allowed to kill some of their customers during this festive season when a section of the population often appears bent on committing suicide by taking the same drinks that they know have already claimed their friends’ lives.

Perhaps, time has come when those who are supposed to curb the manufacture and sale of these drinks should be brought to account. That would prove that every Kenyan’s life — no matter how lowly-lived — is valuable.