•The association said it is committed to work with the government in its efforts to fight against illicit brews and counterfeit alcohol in the country
•BAHLITA spokesperson Boniface Gachoka said the association recognises the important role that liqour traders ought to play in supporting government efforts of ensuring a safer festive season
Image: COURTESY
Liqour traders across the country have been urged to check the identification cards for suspected persons under age to avoid selling alcohol to children.
Bars, Hotels and Liqour Traders Association of Kenya (BAHLITA) in a statement on Friday further committed to work with the government in its efforts to fight against illicit brews and counterfeit alcohol in the country.
BAHLITA spokesperson Boniface Gachoka emphasized the association's acknowledgment of liquor traders' vital role in supporting the government's initiatives for a safer festive season. He underscored the collective responsibility to minimize alcohol-related incidents, such as drunk-driving accidents, and urged everyone to contribute to this effort.
"It is vital for our liqour traders to put the lives of our customers before the need of making profits given the scourge of alcohol abuse which has claimed the lives of our loved ones due to drink and driving during the festive season,” Gachoka said.
“We also call our traders to check the identification cards for suspected persons under age. Our responsibility as liquor traders is to ensure a safe trading environment where our patrons can responsibly enjoy themselves," Gachoka said.
Gachoka urged liquor traders to comply with their licensing requirements, emphasizing responsible trading and enforcing age restrictions to prevent alcohol sales to those under 18.
He noted that the festive season, particularly around New Year's, places significant responsibility on both law enforcement for citizen protection and on liquor traders to ensure responsible alcohol sales.
“We will continue to work with the government agencies and civil society and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that this festive season becomes one in which we can all be merry and not bury our loved ones due to alcohol abuse,” Gachoka said.
The country has recorded a series of traffic accidents this month of December.
Just this week, at least four individuals lost their lives when the driver of a lorry lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road in the Bulemia area of Budalang'i, Busia County.
Reports from the authorities indicate that the lorry ran over the victims, resulting in their untimely deaths.
In another incident, three people died in a grisly road accident in Mavoko, Machakos County on Tuesday.
The three, a bodaboda rider and his two pillion passengers died on the spot after the motorcycle he was riding got involved in a head-on collision with a private car in Mua hills area, Athi River sub-county.