Nacada chairman John Mututho wants more alcohol control laws

Nacada Chairman John Mututho

The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) Chairman John Mututho has called on county governments to establish laws and policies to regulate sale and consumption of alcohol.

Mr Mututho said there are pubs and bars operating illegally and selling counterfeit and illicit brews, which have claimed many live.

"There are so many bars operating illegally where they are not allowed, for instance in residential areas including chemists where drugs are sold secretly. This requires a quick action to stop the menace," said Mututho.

He pointed out that the sale of quality liquor is being affected by the circulation of counterfeit and illicit brews in different parts of the country.

According to Mututho, out of 3,300 alcohol brands sold in the Kenyan market, over 2,000 are poor quality and contain poisonous contents.

He observed that to stop circulation of counterfeits,  county governments should collect used wines and spirit bottles.

"Improper management of used wines and spirits bottles results into re-packaging of illegal brews reported to contain herbicides and pesticides," he observed.

This year alone, more than 140 people have died following consumption of adulterated alcohol in Kiambu, Kitui, Embu, Makueni and Murang'a counties among other areas with more than 900 people having been hospitalised with numerous ailments.

He said there is need for Nacada to be empowered to license manufacturers and importers of alcohol beverages that will foresee enactment of county government laws governing licensing of alcoholic drinks.

The chairman further called on East African Breweries Ltd to stop the sale and distribution of Jebel alcohol brand, alleging that it has high poisonous content.

He said the brand has not been licensed by Nacada and that it is not properly packaged and branded for easier identification.

Mututho was speaking last week in Nakuru when he addressed MCAs from Nairobi who sit in the committees of Culture, Community Services, Children and Early Childhood Education during a vocational training.

He said counties should not be keen on collection of revenue from alcohol operators saying the finances collected on licensing can only be used for development and rehabilitation.

Mututho pointed out that 80 per cent of crime committed in the country can easily be contained with installation of street lights and control of alcohol.

He further said the many licensed night clubs are a threat to security in the areas that they operate. He cited Kanu Street in Nakuru with more than 150 clubs.

The tough-talking Mututho has in the past blamed police and local administration officers for the rise in illicit brew deaths.