Government bans 78 brands of alcohol, says Iringo

NAIROBI, KENYA: Some 78 brands of alcohol have been banned by the government following recent deaths occasioned by the consumption of drinks laced with methanol.

Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo said over 3,000 assorted brands have also been collected for further testing giving an indication of the high number of brands in circulation.

Iringo said all unauthorised operators will be closed down and stated that methanol will now be gazetted as a dangerous product to facilitate its inclusion in the list of hazardous substances.

He made the remarks following revelations the drinks have killed 29 more people in the last two weeks in Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Nairobi and Narok.

The latest killings happened in Uasin Gishu where seven people died after consuming the alcohol laced with the chemical. 12 had died in Nandi on July 10 and 11, six died in Kayole Nairobi on July 5 while four died in Narok two weeks ago.

Iringo said preliminary findings show the methanol behind the deaths originated from Uganda.

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He appealed to retailers with stocks of methanol or alcohol laced with the chemical to immediately withdraw them from the shelves as part of efforts to contain the killing spree.