Editor's Review

The enactment of the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2023 comes in the wake of the death of 17 people. 

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has assented to a new regulation that seeks to protect the public from the dangers of consumption of alcoholic drinks.  

The enactment of the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2023 comes in the wake of the death of 17 people who had consumed ethanol-laced brew at Kangai and Kandongu villages in Mwea West sub-county. 

Governor Waiguru said the purpose of the Act is to establish a clear framework for the licensing and regulation of manufacturing, distribution, sale, consumption, advertising, and promotion of alcoholic drinks in the county.

“This law is not meant to punish traders doing legitimate businesses, but to eliminate manufacture, sale, and distribution of illicit brews, counterfeit, adulterated and sub-standard alcoholic products in the County,” Waiguru stated while signing the bill. 

Governor Waiguru Signs New Alcohol Law in Kirinyaga County

The treatment and rehabilitation programmes will be run with the help of funds from the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Fund which shall be instituted pursuant to Section 116 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012.

Waiguru noted that the fund would further support the regulatory activities of the County and Sub-County Alcoholics Drinks Control Committees and activities related to the oversight, monitoring, and enforcement of the liquor control regulations.

Waiguru disclosed that the law also provides for the setting up of the Directorate of Alcoholic Drinks Control which will be in charge of licensing and enforcing the conditions of a liquor Licence.