Traders face stiff penalties after assembly passes liquor Bill

Embu, Kenya: Traders in Embu County who manufacture or sell alcohol in contravention of a new Bill risk paying a fine of up to Sh2 million or serving a five-year jail term or both.

This after the local county assembly passed the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2014, yesterday.

The proposed law also disallows selling, supplying or providing knowingly an alcoholic drink to a person under 18 years and provides for Sh150,000 fine for offenders or one year imprisonment or both.

Retailers are also required to put up signs at their premises informing the public that selling of an alcoholic drink to a minor or to an intoxicated person is illegal.

Put up signs

Those who fail to put up the signs will be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh50,000 or imprisonment for six months or both.

It further provides that distilled or fortified alcoholic drinks shall be manufactured, packed and sold in glass bottles exceeding 250ml.

It also bans selling of alcoholic drinks at workplaces, public recreational facilities and public service vehicles.

"No person shall sell, purchase or consume an alcoholic drink in an alcoholic drink outlet after the expiry of licensed hours," the Bill states.

The Bill provides for creation of sub-county drinks regulation committees to issue liquor licences.

The Bill now awaits assent by Governor Martin Wambora after which it will be operationalised after seven days.