Two powerful individuals are alleged to be at the center of the sale of illicit brews blamed for the deaths of three people at Gatitu trading central, Nyeri Central sub county early this month.
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina Mathenge claims the two leading manufacturers, who are well known have been distributing beer brands that have failed all quality standard tests.
Mathenge who was speaking to KNA in Nyaribo trading center yesterday said samples from the two companies collected from 30 bars operating in Gaititu and subjected to quality standard tests showed the contents therein were unfit for human consumption.
At least five government agencies including the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority are said to have been involved in the probe.
“It is certain that in Nyeri town the problem of liquor is far from over. The same culprits are still selling illicit alcohol. They are still manufacturing, packaging and distributing illicit alcohol. We have two national manufacturers of alcohol whose five brands going by the samples we have collected from 30 bars in Gatitu and subjected to testing by five different agents failed the standards. And we gave said the owners of those brands must be arrested,” said Mathenge.
The MP stated that by failing to raise alarm over sale of the counterfeit brands operating under their label, the manufacturers raised suspicion they could be partakers in the sale of illicit brews in the area.
He argued the individuals should have followed the matter with the relevant authorities to exonerate their companies from blame on the illegal trade.
“They manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure that only their genuine and legitimate brands are on sale. They cannot feign ignorance when their brands are being counterfeited as this will automatically lead in drop in sales on their part, “he said.
“What has been happening is that we are arresting the drunkards, the bar owner and we never get the manufacturers. This time round the first people on the dock from the chain are the manufacturers, distributors and their retail network.”
On March 17 this year Nyeri County Commissioner Josephat Biwott had said the Government was toiling with idea of reducing the number of bars in some parts of Nyeri as a strategy of addressing rampant alcoholism in the area.
The administrator was however categorical that such a move was not meant to kill genuine businesses but only a proposal to help curb uncontrolled drinking in the rural towns.
“After sitting with Governor (Dr Mutahi Kahiga) we have agreed that we have to close all the outlets of Gatitu which has over 30 bars. We have been conducting a fresh vetting of all bars in the area from March 16 to March 23 together with the County Liquor Licensing Board. And out of the 30 bars we are only going to register 10 or less which must meet all the minimum requirements”, he said.
Mathenge has also promised to push for laws banning the sale of alcoholic drinks in non-returnable bottles which he termed a weak link in the war against counterfeit brews.
He complained that the use of non-returnable bottles makes it almost impossible to trace the original supply of counterfeit brews since most of the containers can easily be destroyed.
The MP also called for strengthening of state agencies involved in the war against alcohol and substance abuse in the country saying this will ease the work of security officers and courts in apprehending culprits behind this trade.
“I am appealing to Members of Parliament that we must outlaw the sale of beer in containers that are not returnable to the manufacturer so that we wipe out all those many empty bottles of beer with legitimate labels with KRA and Kebs stamps and stickers. We should also strengthen KRA and the Government Chemist to ensure goods on the market confer to the set standards.” he added.
On politics, Mathenge called for a lull in the ongoing campaigns and urged leaders to allow the Kenya Kwanza government to delivers it pre-election promises to the electorate.
He also appealed for a de-escalation of words among politicians which he said had now become the order of the day.
The MP also tasked leaders to uphold the tenets of constitutionalism in all their utterances for the sake of the public good.
“We have been campaigning for the last one and a half years. When did you start hearing Ruto must go slogan? Go to your archives, the campaigns have been there. I am one of the people who refused to go to those early campaigns. My mantra has been simple; service to the people, politics in 2027,” he stated.
By Samuel Maina and Wangari Mwangi
