Bar owners and liquor traders in the country have supported the government’s  move to fight drug addiction and abuse in the country.

The bar owners and liquor traders’ association says it acknowledges that the menace of alcohol abuse in our communities is a matter of concern both at the family and societal levels alike.

However, the bar owners say some aspects of the implementation of the government’s move are not aligned with our expectations.

“It is our considered view that the problem of illicit and counterfeit alcoholic drinks has largely been caused by the availability of cheap alcohol manufactured by dealers of fake products” said Simon Njoroge, the association’s chairman.

“This was further compounded by the laxity of security officers to heighten surveillance and enforcement mechanisms during the electioneering and transition period, especially during the 2022 General Elections. The result was that unscrupulous entrepreneurs took advantage of this lapse to conduct illegal business,” said the association in a statement.

Also Read: Bar Owners Oppose Proposal To Up Excise Duty On Beer

The association argues that the plan by government to reduce the number of licensed bars is an affront to the efforts of Kenyan entrepreneurs who have invested their hard-earned money in running legitimate businesses that have in turn supported the livelihoods of thousands of young Kenyans and their families.

Njoroge acknowledged that most of the illicit alcohol being sold around is done through unlicensed establishments.

“Even if we say that licensed entities are selling such alcohol is because the government has let its guard down and allowed the manufacturing of such alcohol. It is therefore improper for the government to punish even those entrepreneurs who are legitimately doing their business and paying the requisite taxes and levies” he noted.

He said as much  bar owners are not opposed to any efforts to sanitize the alcoholic industry, what they are calling for is the involvement of all stakeholders during the implementation of some of these government policies.

“By bringing all of us to the table, we shall be able to have a deeper look at the grievances and get a way forward that serves all our interests without being seen as unfair to any party”.

Bar owners oppose increased taxation

The association also raised issue with continued increases in taxes on alcoholic drinks citing the Excisable Goods Management System (Amendment) Regulations, 2023.

“If the amendments are approved as is, this will lead to an increase in the prices of beer and spirits with the common mwananchi bearing the brunt”.

“It does not help matters that the rise comes just a few months after the implementation of the 6.3 percent adjustment for inflation that came into effect last October followed by a 10% increase in excise implemented in July 2022 following the 2022/2023 annual national budget” he added.

They want the government to halt the implementation of the increase in the price of excise stamps.

“We wish to state that while the government might be justified in trying to get rid of illicit alcohol in the country, we believe that there is a better way to carry out the reforms within the alcoholic industry. We appeal to the government to allow us to work together with the respective County Liquor Boards and security agencies to ensure that we achieve a workable formula that will support the sustained progress of all stakeholders within the alcoholic industry”.