Kirinyaga County Assembly members have unanimously approved the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023. This legislation will create a system for licensing, regulation, and production of alcoholic beverages within the county.
The passing of this bill provides a sense of relief to residents who have suffered from the harmful effects of illicit alcohol, as witnessed by recent incidents such as the tragic loss of at least 20 lives.
Assembly Speaker Muteti Murimi declared that any trader who will sell 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 KES500,000.
Muteti further said traders who manufacture, distribute or sell alcoholic drinks without a license have also not been spared as they will be convicted for a jail term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding KES 50, 000.
Violators of this provision may face a fine of up to KES 100,000 or a maximum prison sentence of three years, or both. Additionally, the legislation proposes the establishment of a Directorate of Alcoholic Drinks Control, overseen by a director recruited through a competitive process conducted by the County Public Service Board.
The director must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university in Kenya and meet the integrity standards outlined in Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Furthermore, the bill recommends the formation of a County Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee, chaired by an individual appointed by the Governor and approved by the County Assembly.
County assembly of Kirinyaga has passed the act to help to fight deadly liquor in the region. According to Mukure MCA Thomas Muriuki, the law allows punitive measures to be taken against manufacturers and distributors in the county. Governor Anne Waiguru is expected to assent to the two Bills within 14 days.
