Restoring sanity in the alcohol sector

Nakuru, Wednesday, April 12, 2023

K.N.A By Veronica Bosibori

Nakuru County Secretary Dr. Samuel Mwaura today, speaking during inauguration of the newly appointed members to the Sub-County Alcoholic Drinks Regulation Committee, said that the county government was committed to restoring sanity in the alcoholic sector.

Dr. Mwaura said the Sub-County Committees are established under section 9(s) of the Nakuru County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2014 which provides a law for control, licensing, regulation, and general administration of the manufacture, advertisement, sale, and consumption of alcoholic drinks in the County.

Dr. Mwaura urged the new appointees to ensure proper implementation of the Liquor Act and the County Government policy on Liquor Licensing.

Additionally, he said that the numerous liquor-selling kiosks within estates which have caused objections and criticisms from parents would be addressed and regulated by the newly appointed committee.

Unlike in the past, when the defunct Municipal Council ensured that no alcohol was sold within residential areas and bars were located at designated places, the introduction of counties issued licenses indiscriminately, and selling points were opened at every corner.

Currently, the most noticeable business in the city is wine and spirit shops, which residents blame for increased alcohol consumption among the residents and youths in the county.

The chairman of small businesses in the county Johnstone Ndegwa said it was unfortunate that alcohol was the fastest-selling product within the city and other towns such as Molo, Rongai, and Njoro.

He condemned the arbitrary selling of alcohol by unvetted individuals who do not even adhere to the alcohol consumption age limit of 18 years.

He gave an example of the infamous Kanu Street in the city that was known countrywide as the area with the unbeatable number of bars countrywide.

Ndegwa urged the residents to control the high consumption of alcohol and return the city to its glorious 1980s days when it was considered the cleanest in the entire East African Region.

He also rued the loss of cultural controls and spiritual upbringing of children in the county that were known for discipline, educational achievements, and leadership in both business and politics.

Furthermore, he said the fêted and celebrated past fame of the county would easily be achieved if the haphazard drinking habits of the youths were controlled since they were not only the future leaders but the ones with the required vitality for development.

Courtesy K.N.A