Killer drink ‘auctioned by KRA’
Some of the 40 caskets bearing remains of persons who died after consuming alcohol laced with methanol at Shauri Yako slums in Embu, during the requiem mass at Embu Stadium. PHOTO/CHARLES WANYORO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The trader who bought the cargo is believed to have repackaged it and sold it as ethanol to alcohol manufacturers. The fatalities were reported in six counties, with Embu recording more than 40.
The methanol in the drink that killed more than 80 people early this month was auctioned by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) after the importer was unable to pay duty.
Investigations are underway to find out the trader who bought the eight drums of methanol each containing 250 litres of the substance, according to National Authority for Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) chairman John Mututho.
Mr Mututho said during a media briefing at Nacada offices Wednesday that the authority would work with KRA to trace the individual and follow alcohol manufacturers who may have bought the substance from him.
“Products of firms that bought the consignment will be recalled until we can ascertain whether they are safe to drink,” he said.
The huge consignment was sold at an auction at Kilindini harbour on March 18, and KRA may not have known that the consignment would be used to make alcohol, he said. Methanol is mainly used for industrial purposes.
The trader who bought the cargo is believed to have repackaged it and sold it as ethanol to alcohol manufacturers. The fatalities were reported in six counties, with Embu recording more than 40.
KRA had not responded to Nation questions by press time.
A technical committee comprising experts from the Government Chemist, Kenya Bureau of Standards, KRA and alcohol manufacturers has come up with a raft of measures to prevent such tragedies.
The committee directed KRA not to auction methanol or alcoholic beverages imported into the country without vetting the buyer.
The revenue collector should also ensure that the import was used for the right purpose.
Nacada urged the government to reduce taxes levied on imported ethanol, which was currently more than the amount levied on methanol, arguing that alcohol manufacturers may be tempted to go for the cheaper but lethal option.
Mr Mututho said Nacada would push Parliament to create a body to regulate industrial chemicals and put in place measures such as labelling of such products as dangerous to humans.
