Team wants chang’aa legalised

A Bill seeking to legalise local liquors like chang’aa has been endorsed by a parliamentary committee.

The Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill was referred to the committee on Administration and National Security for scrutiny after it was introduced in the House for the First Reading by Naivasha MP John Mututho.

Now, it will be taken back to the House for the second reading. The Bill seeks to repeal the Chang’aa Prohibition Act.

There has been an increased distilling and consumption of the drink despite stringent fines imposed on the offenders.

It is envisaged that the proposed law, if adopted by Parliament, will enhance quality of the drink.

The administration and security committee, chaired by Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi, tabled its report in the House on Wednesday in which it said the Bill is good for the country and should be enacted into law.

The committee referred to cases reported in Central Province of men’s fertility being adversely affected by excessive drinking of cheap alcohol.

It said education standards were on a downward trend as schools were closing down due to low enrolment apparently because of alcohol abuse by parents or children themselves.

The Alcoholics Drinks Bill seeks to introduce checks and balances in production, sale and consumption.

The Bill is aimed at protecting consumers from health hazards associated with excessive consumption of alcohol, whether legal or illicit, according to Mr Mututho.

The committee notes that carnage on the roads arising from drunk driving, the falling levels of reproductive health in some regions and decline in education standards due to over-consumption of alcohol were some of the reasons that Parliament should support the Bill.

Prize competitions

However, it has proposed several amendments, among them a clause that prohibits promotion of alcohol consumption through award or prize competitions.

Anyone going against the provision would be committing an offence and would be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding Sh500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.