Teens in Kenya bribe their way into clubs, bars

Armstrong Rono, chairman Alcoholic Drinks Board displays 25 rolls of bhang, banned alcoholic drinks, khat and 'muguka' that was netted by police after a sting operation where over 500 teenagers were arrested at a disco. PHOTO: FILE

In Nakuru County, teenagers easily access night clubs and bars by bribing bouncers.

Although a number of the entertainment spots within the central business district and estates have strict regulations concerning underage drinking, The Standard established that enforcing the law has proved a major challenge for many owners.

"It is challenging to enforce the law against underage drinking because the people we employ as bouncers, barmen and waitresses are not keen on stopping the vice," said a proprietor of one establishments.

Most of the establishments that sell alcohol to teenagers have well displayed signage that shows the legal age required for one to drink alcohol, but they rarely enforce the law.

Besides the night clubs and bars, alcohol is sold freely to teenagers at wines and spirits shops scattered across the Nakuru town and its environs. A spot check by The Standard revealed that residential estates like Section 58, Shabaab, Race Course, Kiamunyi and shops along Kenyatta Avenue have alcohol retail outlets that do not observe the legal drinking age when selling liquor.

And authorities in Mombasa have warned that lack of parental guidance, rule of law, poverty and the tourism industry are fuelling teenage drinking in the Coast region.

Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa has warned parents against abdicating their parental responsibility, which has seen an increased of number of persons aged below 18 drinking alcohol in the county. Speaking to The Standard on the sidelines of a security briefing on yesterday, Mr Marwa mentioned Mshomoroni, Kisauni, Likoni, Shanzu and Jomvu among areas with the highest number of children affected by the menace.