Kirinyaga County Assembly has passed the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act that will regulate production of alcoholic drinks.
The bill with few amendments will await the Governor’s assent within 14 days.
Traders who manufacture, distribute or sell alcoholic drinks without a license will be convicted for a jail term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding Ksh 50,000 while hawking of alcoholic drinks have 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 hefty punishment for traders 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.
Those selling the drinks 300 meters from residential areas, learning institutions and places of worship will be liable for a fine not exceeding Ksh 100,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years or both.
The Bill has recommended establishment of a Directorate of Alcoholic drinks control which will be headed by a director who will be recruited by the County Public Service Board.
The gender and youth committee chairman Thomas Muriuki, Mukure Ward MCA said it’s a milestone as the bill will control the circulation of killer brews and remove manufacturers and distributors of the dangerous substance from the market.
Kennedy Mwendia (Nyangati) chairman finance said that they were not opposed to the sale of liquor but want to control the genuine market stating that the passage of the bill is timely considering that investors have shown interest doing business in the county at the Industrial park in Sagana
KBC Correspondent
