Kenyans may soon be able to freely enjoy traditional drinks without getting into trouble with the authorities.
This is if the Alcoholic Drinks (Amendment) Bill, 2024, before the Senate to decriminalise traditional brews such as Muratina, Busaa and Mnazi, is passed.
The Bill brought by nominated Senator Raphael Chimera seeks to amend the alcoholic drinks control law, which requires one to have a licence to sell local brew.
In the Amendment Bill, Chimera further proposes doing away with the 250ml bottle of any liquor and substituting it with the lowest being a 750 ml bottle.
He argues that this will help reduce the cases of alcoholism among the youth.
He added that this will make sure drinks are out of reach for many and restrict drinking to socialising and not drinking to either forget their problems, or as an antidepressant.
"The main reason we are limiting packaging to 750 ml is to dissuade many Kenyans from having access quotas and alcohol packaged in sachets and in smaller quantities so that it is not readily affordable so that a Kenyan who wants to enjoy alcohol will have access very safe and quality liquor.
"That is the idea around keeping it 750ml so that we are able to eradicate what we call Kayole industries that are known to imitate and produce many bottles of quotas and the likes into the market," Chimera said.
The Senator argues that such brews have no effect and are largely drinks made to mark certain celebrations in most rural areas.
Chimera wants the licence requirement removed to allow those involved in the local brew business to operate without fears of getting arrested.
The nominated Senator argues that neighbouring countries have embraced their local drinks, giving an example of Ugandan drink Waragi and Konyagi in Tanzania.
He noted that Kenya has, on the other hand, continued to stifle its local brew industry by introducing numerous hurdles.
Chimera cited the government’s numerous campaigns targeting illicit brews that have had adverse effects on the young with some brands completely eradicated.
