High taxation force consumers to drink illicit liquor

Police officers lifting a drum full of illicit brew from the river during a security operation along Chania river bank. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

The Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) now say the current high taxes imposed by the government are the biggest impediment in the fight against counterfeit products and illicit brews.

Through its chairperson Eric Githua, the association said the war against counterfeits and illicit brews cannot be won if the government does not revise the taxes.