One-factory one-town policy will end alcoholism in Kenya

The best solution to alcoholism is one town one factory. [iStockphoto]

The recent pronouncement by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that each town in the Mount Kenya region should have one bar must be filtered through economic reality.

The policy assumes that it is the number of bars that have led to extensive alcoholism in the region. In simple economics, supply creates demand. The policy ignores the critical plank in the alcohol ecosystem - demand. The bars are proliferating because there is a huge demand for alcohol. And you do not need a bar to get drunk.