Parliament members want officers sacked to end illicit brew menace

An MP wants the Government to recognise alcoholism as a disease besides strengthening regulations to contain illicit brews. The Alcoholic Drinks Amendment Bill 2014 sponsored by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa, also roots for construction of adequate rehabilitation centres under the National Authority for the Campaigns Against Drug Abuse (Nacada). He is also calling for immediate sacking of chief executives of the Kenya Bureau of Standard (KEBS), Nacada and the Anti-Counterfeit Agency, for sleeping on the job. “The first step to get this situation right is that we must accept those in charge of KEBS, Anti-Counterfeit Agency and Nacada have failed this country. If you look at the audited accounts for Nacada in the Auditor General’s report, you will see people busy ‘eating’ money instead of fighting alcoholism,” said Mr Ichung’wa. He, however, insisted that before his proposals are implemented, he would push for the sacking of inept officials in the relevant agencies, adding the earlier the Government acknowledges alcoholism is a disease, the easier it becomes to contain it. But Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko said the Government should consider supporting amendments to the Act that created Nacada, to give it more capacity to handle alcoholism.

Toothless dog “I agree with Nacada chairman John Mututho that the agency needs to be strengthened. It is currently a toothless dog. Compare it to the Anti-counterfeit Authority which has arresting powers. No institution can win this battle alone. Similarly, the Government chemist requires transformation so that it is equipped with up to date facilities. County governments should also enact tough laws to fight alcohol, drugs and substance abuse,” said Mr Tobiko. Mr Mututho, however, said whereas it is imperative for Government to support major reforms within the alcohol industry, there is need to dislodge from office people he called ‘enemies of alcoholic reforms’. “I did not ask for a job at Nacada. I only work out of passion. It is the President and his deputy who told me when we met sometime back in Nakuru that they would like me to do this assignment. “But I was shocked to learn if there is one place in this country that I am not welcome, it is Nacada. In fact, I am more welcome in night clubs and Chang’aa dens than at the agency,” he said. Mututho said part of the problem in the fight against alcoholism is lack of proper implementation of the Mututho laws.