Parliament set to ban drinking two days before polls

Parliament on Wednesday moved closer to passing amendments to further restrict the consumption of alcohol by making it criminal to have a drink two days before any elections.

MPs who contributed supported the Alcoholic Drinks Control (Amendment) Bill as it went through the Second Reading in the House.

Among the notable provisions of the Bill sponsored by Naivasha MP John Mututho is that banning the sale of alcoholic drinks “during the period of two days prior to the date of any general election or in an area subject to a by-election".

It would also be criminal to sell alcohol “in any workplace, office, factory, public park  or any  public recreational facility, public transport vehicle, public beach, sports stadium or public street".

Breaking these rules will attract a maximum fine of Sh10,000 or a maximum nine months in jail for a first offender and not more than Sh100,000 or one year in jail for subsequent offenders.

Alcohol manufacturers will also be hard hit as the bill proposes to ban advertisements that promote alcohol by creating the impression that its consumption comes with social or sexual success.

The Bill says that “No person shall promote any alcoholic drink in such a manner as to encourage more consumption of an alcoholic drink in order to win an award or prize.”

This means that the game shows and promotions preferred by alcohol manufacturers would have to stop.

Breach of this law would attract a fine not exceeding 500,000 shillings, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both.

They will also be required to list the ingredients of each drink on its package and include warnings that it can cause liver cirrhosis and should not be taken if one is to operate machinery or drive.

Warning messages on the drinks’ packaging should cover at least 30 per cent of the label, the Bill says.

Advertisements that also suggest that the drink has a therapeutic value or that it can treat or prevent any human disease would also be banned.

The Bill would also outlaw the advertising of alcohol between 6 am and 10 pm.

Defence assistant minister David Musila took issue with a television advert (by Keroche Breweries) that features images of Prime Minister Raila Odinga when he attended the opening of its factory in Naivasha.

He asked the Office of the Prime Minister to take action on the brewer “as the PM went there to open the factory and not promote the consumption of beer".

Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu contested the assertion by Mr Musila on the basis that by attending the launch of the factory, the PM was in effect promoting the brewer and their beer.

Rarieda MP Nicolas Gumbo asked Mr Mututho to introduce further amendments to restrict the establishment of bars in residential areas.

“You go to places like Umoja and the bars are more than the homes,” he said.

The amended bill proposes that if a premise near a school is to be licensed to sell alcohol, there should be a “physical and non-transparent barrier” between them.

Higher Education assistant minister Kilemi Mwiria said that although alcohol is one of the biggest contributors to Kenya’s revenue, the problems that lead to alcoholism also ought to be addressed.