Bill on 'mnazi' sails through

In a bid to salvage palm wine, commonly known as mnazi, from the ongoing war against illicit brew, the county assembly yesterday passed a bill that legalised the traditional wine.

Members of the assembly put aside all the house business to discuss the coconut bill, which they later passed, unanimously.

The sitting, which was extended till late in the evening, saw members of the county assembly declare mnazi a legal drink.

Become law

The bill is now awaiting Governor Amason Kingi' assent to become law.

There was drama during the debate with some members of the assembly supporting legalisation of the brew, claiming it was good for men as its boosts their libido unlike other illicit brews, especially in Central region, that had reduced men into zombies.

"Mr Speaker, I felt very bad last week when I saw police officers pouring thousands of litres of mnazi in Kaloleni and arresting the dealers," said an MCA.

Kakuyuni Ward Representative Nixon Mramba told the house that most of the locals were depending on the sale of mnazi to fend for their families and take their children to school.

"Mr Speaker, some of the honourable members of this house were mnazi vendors before they were elected and I therefore, more than 100 per cent, support its legalisation," Mr Mramba said.

The MCAs said palm wine was a natural and God given tree product and should not be classified as illicit drink, just as miraa is legal.

Addressing the Press later at his chambers, Assembly Speaker Jimmy Kahindi said the bill had legalised mnazi and, once assented to, will be classified in the same category with other alcoholic drinks such as Tusker and Pilsner.

He said consumption of mnazi will be allowed in designated areas ,and the mnazi dens must be licensed.

Issued ultimatum

The speaker said the bill will also regulate mnazi consumption.

Recently, there was protest from Coast leaders over the crackdown on mnazi in the ongoing war against illicit drinks in the country.

Mr Kingi had issued a three-day ultimatum to the national government and police to stop harassing mnazi operators failure to which his government will move to court and obtain orders.