Stakeholders in Homa Bay County have called for stronger community action against alcohol and substance abuse, warning that the effects of alcohol consumption extend beyond individual users to families and the wider community.
The call came Monday during an alcohol awareness walk organised by Blue Cross Kenya as part of its activities marking 30 years of the organisation’s work in Kenya.
Ishmael Shem, a director at Blue Cross Kenya said the initiative was intended to sensitise residents about the harmful effects of alcohol and encourage communities to take collective responsibility in addressing alcohol-related harm.
“Alcohol harm is not just an individual fight, but for our whole community,” Shem said, emphasising the need for families, schools, community organisations and government agencies to work together towards prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
Shem said Blue Cross Kenya has worked with children, young people and families affected by alcohol use over the past three decades, with an objective to promote a sober community.
He said the scale of alcohol-related harm is reflected in the number of families affected by addiction.
Shem also raised a concern over alcohol consumption among young people, saying communities needed to pay greater attention to the age at which children are exposed to alcohol.
He described alcohol as “no ordinary commodity” and called for greater awareness of its long-term effects on individuals and communities.
He said the organisation’s work had been centred on addressing alcohol-related harm through prevention, rehabilitation and aftercare. He emphasized that the organisation’s vision was to build sober communities by empowering residents in finding solutions to alcohol-related challenges.
The Homa Bay event brought together government representatives, community members and organisations involved in alcohol and substance abuse prevention.
Homa Bay Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Philip Kipsang said there was a need for government agencies and other stakeholders to intensify efforts aimed at addressing alcohol and substance abuse.
Kipsang urged young people to avoid alcohol and drug abuse, saying unemployment and poverty should not be used as reasons for turning to substance abuse. He pointed to government youth empowerment initiatives, including programmes intended to support young people in business and self-employment.
The DCC also called on community leaders to encourage young people to engage in productive activities rather than activities that could expose them to violence and substance abuse.
Kipsang further challenged organisations involved in alcohol and drug abuse prevention to assess the impact of their interventions and develop strategies to address persistent challenges.
He said authorities had begun a crackdown on non-compliant alcohol outlets, including establishments operating beyond permitted hours and those selling illegal, unaccustomed or counterfeit alcoholic products. “We shall arrest and prosecute the culprits according to the laws of this country,” Kipsang warned.
He called for collaboration among the county government, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the National Government and other stakeholders to tackle illicit alcohol sales.
Monica Akumu, Homa Bay County NACADA Coordinator, said alcohol remained a major concern in efforts to address substance abuse.
Akumu cited findings from a 2024 NACADA survey, saying alcohol was among the leading substances of concern, particularly among university students. She said illicit alcoholic drinks were also contributing to the problem because they were relatively cheap and widely available.
“Addiction is a family disease. Once somebody is addicted, the whole family is affected,” Akumu said. Her remarks highlighted the wider social consequences of alcohol dependence, including its impact on spouses, children and other members of affected households.
Isaac Onyoni, Homa Bay County Director of Trade and an official responsible for liquor licensing and alcohol-use control, said the county was strengthening regulation of alcohol outlets.
He said the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee is responsible for licensing and ensuring compliance with regulations, including restrictions on the sale of alcohol to minors and requirements on the location of alcohol outlets near institutions such as schools.
According to Onyoni, the county works with NACADA and national government agencies in enforcing alcohol control measures. “We ensure there is no sale of alcohol to underage people and that outlets comply with the law,” Onyoni said.
He said preventing alcohol abuse required more than regulating individual consumers because alcoholism also affects families and communities and warned traders against operating without license or selling illegal alcoholic products. “If you are not licensed to operate, do not operate. You risk losing your business and facing prosecution,” he warned.
He urged alcohol sellers to comply with the law, particularly by avoiding selling alcohol to children.
By Sitna Omar
