Hoteliers relieved as Mututho Bill expires

The beer and hotel industries breathed a sigh of relief after the 10th Parliament concluded its business on Thursday without passing into law drastic new proposals that would have banned beer drinking on the two days before the General Election.

Industry players say the reprieve is only temporary as outgoing Naivasha MP John Mututho, the man who spearheaded the campaign, has dropped his gubernatorial bid to seek a National Assembly seat. He has promised to pick up from where he left if re-elected MP in March.

Had the amendments sought by Mr Mututho been passed, they would have had far-reaching implications, stakeholders said.

The Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC) had warned that the hospitality industry would lose Sh1.5 billion in the two days.

“The figure I have highlighted (Sh1.5 billion) is actually modest. Banning sale of alcohol during those days will have an impact not just on alcohol sellers but on other areas like tourism,” said KAHC chief executive Mike Macharia.
Alcohol sale would have been banned on the Saturday and Sunday preceding the March 4 General Election.

Bar owners had also opposed the lproposed law, saying it would have negatively affected legitimate alcohol sellers and manufacturers.

“The elections will be on Monday. Two days before Monday is weekend, and those are the busiest days businesses receive their revenues. This is a way of killing businesses and increasing unemployment,” said Bar Owners Association chairman Patrick Muya. Kenyans consume alcohol more on weekends.

Industry players are said to be awed by the passion wielded by the lawmaker regarding the proposed drinks law. The MP once said his crusade is driven by the deaths of his two brothers arising from alcoholism.

The MP managed to easily push his business through Parliament, even as Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi’s Bill seeking to water down the original Act failed miserably in the same Parliament.

Beer makers see an “unfinished business” in the November decision by Mr Mututho to drop his bid for the Nakuru County governor in favour of the Naivasha or Gilgil seat.

Announcing the decision, he said the 11th Parliament will be the most crucial legislative institution, and he wants to be part of it.

“I have decided to continue with my focus of making laws in Parliament,” he told the Sunday Nation. “I do not want to abandon the work I started.” He would have to start all over again to introduced the Bill in the next Parliament.

The Responsible Drinks Companies Association (Radca) has also opposed the process and handling of the amendments. Members of the association – Heineken, Keroche, SABMiller and African Spirits – say they were neither consulted nor briefed on the intent and spirit of the amendments.

“... We believe that only a joint public-private engagement can bring a common understanding of the social challenges that the Bill hopes to address and thereby yield common solutions,” Radca chairman Koen Morshuis told the Sunday Nation.