by MARIA MACHARIA
NAIROBI – THE sweeping alcohol reforms Kenya is implementing are inflaming economic and sociopolitical crises in the increasingly volatile East African country.
The embattled government, already battling daily protests over economic and political problems, insists the move is to curb substance abuse especially among youth.
On the other hand, the alcohol ecosystem, including liquor traders, the tourism industry and artists are up in arms arguing this would worsen their revenues.
This week, Afropop musician, Fidel Omusulah, and social media figure, Brian Kimanxi, lodged a legal challenge against the policy.
The crackdown on liquor is the latest in an ongoing series of fallout between the government of President William Ruto and the public.
The sweeping rules proposed by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), under the National Policy for the Prevention, Management and Control of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, include raising the minimum drinking age from 18 to 21.
They also include a ban on purchasing alcohol in supermarkets, restaurants and on public transport.
The online sale and home delivery of alcoholic drinks as well as celebrity endorsements will also be outlawed as per request by NACADA.
“NACADA’s goal, as clearly outlined in the policy, is to protect our youth from alcohol and substance abuse, reduce related harm and foster a healthier, more productive society,” Dr Anthony Omerikwa, NACADA Chief Executive Officer, said.
NACADA estimates for 2022 estimate that one in every 20 Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 were addicted to alcohol.
The agency backs its proposed policy by World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics in 2023 that banning alcohol sports sponsorships can slash youth drinking rates by 16 percent.
Hence with the new alcohol policy, NACADA is considering rethinking alcohol advertising in sports.
Football and rugby, Kenya’s main sports rely significantly on sponsorships by alcohol firms.
Kipchumba Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, believes the National Policy on the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse is meant to protect children and safeguard the future of Kenya.
He dismissed arguments from businesses that the policy would be at the detriment of the economy.
“We cannot prioritise profit over our children’s lives,” Murkomen said.
Hamida Kibwana, Member of Parliament, also advocates the policy.
Her advocacy in the National Assembly is on Health, Trade, Tourism and Industrialisation.
Kibwana welcomed the alcohol policy as “a lifeline for the many children.”
“With the legal drinking age raised to and alcohol banned near schools and homes, we’re protecting young minds from early addiction. No child should grow up thinking alcohol is normal. Their future is worth more than profit,” Kibwana said.
Outspoken legal expert, Donald Kipkorir, accused the government of double standards in that at 18, youths are seen as mature to vote, own property, drive and join the army but at the same age, deemed immature to make decisions on alcohol.
“What a stupid, illogical thinking by our bureaucrats led by NACADA,” the corporate lawyer slammed.
Kipkorir sides with stakeholders crying foul that banning the sale of alcohol in supermarkets, restaurants, public beaches, recreational and petrol stations would impact negatively on the hospitality sector and hinder tourism.
“Tourism is driven by good food, alcohol and sex. The biggest tourism destinations in the world allow this triple treat,” he said.
Commentator, Daniel Kimathi, foresees renewed standoff between the government and disgruntled youth.
Youngsters have been at the forefront of anti-government protests for slightly over a year now, under the banner of Gen-Z.
“The same government is not giving alternatives options. If the jobless youths are idle and cannot drink or party, then the only option they have is being thugs,” Kimathi warned.
Meanwhile, an illegal market for alcohol is flourishing despite a crackdown by authorities.
In the latest operation, police Kiambu closed down an illegal, backyard brewery and seized ten 250-litre drums of home-brewed alcohol, mainly vodka.
Youth in Kenya feel let down by Ruto (58), elected in 2022 pledging youth empowerment, purportedly driven by his days as a street vendor during his youth.
Yet his government has proposed tax increases, leading to deadly protests that have left scores dead.
This week, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) called for the scrapping of Ruto’s Hustler’s Fund, denouncing it as “a politically expedient but economically disastrous initiative that has failed to deliver on its promises of financial empowerment for low-income Kenyans.”
The commission rejected the fund as “structurally unsound, economically unsustainable and politically manipulated.”
“It is a loss-making scheme disguised as progress. Quick money has become dead money,” KHRC stated.
– CAJ News
