By Antynet Ford
Kirinyaga County will now establish a framework for licensing, regulation, and production of alcoholic drinks in the county.
This is after their county assembly unanimously passed the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023.
According to the bill, any trader selling liquor to children or persons under the age of eighteen will henceforth serve a jail term not exceeding five years or pay a fine not exceeding Ksh.500, 000.
Also, traders who manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic drinks without a license have not been spared as they will be convicted for a jail term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding Ksh.50, 000.
Hawking of alcoholic drinks has also been prohibited in the new law and those found culpable will serve a jail term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding Ksh.100,000 or both.
The Bill has also prescribed hefty punishment to those selling alcoholic drinks 300 meters from residential areas, learning institutions, and places of worship.
Those who contravene the aforementioned requirement will be liable for a fine not exceeding Ksh.100,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years or both.
On administration, it has recommended the establishment of a Directorate of Alcoholic Drinks Control which will be headed by a director who will be competitively recruited by the County Public Service Board.
The Director, according to the Bill, must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a University recognized in Kenya alongside meeting the requirements of chapter six of the Constitution.
It has also recommended the formation of a County Alcoholics Drinks Control Committee which shall be headed by a Chairperson who shall be appointed by the Governor and approved by the County Assembly.
The county assembly of Kirinyaga has passed the act to help to fight deadly liquor in the region.
The Bill comes as a relief to residents who have been negatively affected by the ramifications of illicit liquor as witnessed recently, where at least 20 people lost their lives in Kangai Ward.
It also comes at a time when legitimate liquor traders have been affected by the conduct of their illegitimate business colleagues forcing the government to close outlets en masse.
Kangai ward MCA James Njiru Wambu where over 20 people died after consuming deadly alcohol said this will help in reducing in a big way the abuse of alcohol in the region.
According to Mukure MCA Thomas Muriuki, the law allows punitive measures to be taken against manufacturers and distributors in the county.
Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru is expected to assent to the two Bills within 14 days.
