Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has praised a law seeking to end illicit brew business after meeting Members of County Assembly (MCA)s from Nyandarua County.
Gachagua was speaking on January 23, 2024, after meeting the MCAs following the drafting of the county’s enactment of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023.
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“The leaders have displayed immense courage and determination in true service to the people by enacting a people-centred legal framework regulating manufacturing, distribution and sale of alcohol,” stated the DP.
He added, “The new law is an outcome of the collective efforts between the national and county leadership.
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We look forward to intensifying these efforts for the enactment of similar laws in the region and across the country.”
Nyandarua is the first county to enact a law on alcoholic drinks in the country.
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DP Gachagua congratulated the county members for their boost on saving the young generation.
Taming Alcohol Consumption
The Act touches on the administration and licensing of all traders involved in the alcohol industry.
Also, it dictates general requirements, sales and consumptions of alcoholic products in the county.
“In bringing to live the Nyandarua county alcoholic drinks Act 2023 you have spoken loudly and clearly. You have chosen life and prosperity,” he stated.
The new law is an outcome of the collective efforts between the national and county leadership.
DP Gachagua challenged other counties to benchmark with Nyandarua County.
“We must win the fight against illicit brews, drugs, and substance abuse to save our generation.
And for this war to succeed and be sustained, there must be proper legal frameworks,” Gachagua stated.
Also Read: Gachagua Addresses Political Scheme to Divide Mt Kenya
Why Gachagua supports Law
According to the Act, every sub-county will have an Alcoholic Drinks Regulation Committee.
The committee will be obligated to receive and vet applications for retail and wholesale licenses.
Additionally, it will be expected to file quarterly reports on applications received, vetted and recommended for approval to the County Alcoholic Drinks Regulation & Management Committee.
Further, the law states that no one shall manufacture, produce, sell, distribute or dispose Alcoholic beverage within the county without a license.
The license shall be issued in accordance with the Act. Failure to abide by this the victims shall be fined up to Ksh 30,000 or a sentence not exceeding 4 months.
Mode of license application
A person who intends to produce, manufacture or distribute any alcoholic drinks or to operate an establishment selling alcoholic drinks in the county shall do the following:
He/she has to make an application in writing to the management committee this is due to the legislation on the bill.
Also Read: Gachagua Changes Tune On Petition Against Judge Esther Maina
Within 21 days of application for a license, the sub-county Committee will prepare a notice setting for the names of all applicants, types of licenses applied for, the premises in respect of which the licenses are applied. This will be displayed at the Office of the Deputy County Commissioner & and any person can lodge a complaint against an application.
On the Management, a management Committee shall not grant license for the sale of alcoholic drinks to a supermarket or such other retail chain and a restaurant.
No license shall be granted for sale of alcoholic drinks in an off-license retail outlet commonly referred to as wines and spirits.
NACADAs Statistics
According to statistics from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Central Kenya, at 12.8 per cent, was ranked as the region with the highest consumption of alcohol countrywide, against a national average of 11.8 per cent.
Also, the region’s consumption of illegal brews stood at 4.1 per cent. This is almost double the national average of 2.5 per cent.
NACADA stated that a whole generation is being destroyed by alcohol.
