Uhuru Kenyatta alcohol fight vs Rigathi Gachagua Fight

Alcohol abuse has been a major social and health problem in Kenya mainly among the youths and young men. Illicit brews trade has been taking place without being regulated This poses a danger to the lives of many youths as the illicit brews sell cheaply yet the alcohol is adulterated.

The illicit brew consumption affects the health and the socio-economic life of the users. Excess consumption of these illicit brews affects the mental health, liver, reproductive systems and the heart. On the other hand of socio-economic life alcoholism will lead to family break-ups, financial mistakes and reduce the work productivity of individuals.

To curb the menace government administration have put up various measures. The former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, had put various regulation and effected some measures but the menace was not yet eliminated. Recently (2023), a fresh move has been fueled by the current deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, to curb the menace. In this article

Contents:

1.Uhuru Kenyatta enacted a countrywide crackdown on 2^ND Generation Liquor  2015. 1

2. Ineffectiveness of the crackdown. 2

3.Uhurus  Kenyatta’s  Second Crackdown. 3

4.. County government Role in this menace. 4

5.Rutos 2022 November: Government re-license 29 factories of methanol and spirits. 2

6.Rigathi Gachagua Prospect on the Fight. 2

7.Political Instrumentation of the Alcohol Fight. 7

8.What should be the solution?. 8

 

1.Uhuru Kenyatta enacted a countrywide crackdown on 2^ND Generation Liquor  2015

 

Former President UHURU Kenyatta had enacted a crackdown on all those trading illicit alcohol in 2015. The operation involved revoking the licenses of companies making 2^nd generation liquor. The operation also involved the confiscating illicit brews by administration police

The ban on the sale and consumption of these illicit brews, made it possible for most of the outlets involved in the business to be stormed and be destroyed by both the public and the administration.

The crackdown yielded some results but after some years the trade started to return causing negative effects on the society.

2. Ineffectiveness of the crackdown

The crackdown by Uhuru Kenyatta was effective but faced some criticism by some of the business as it was executed with a lot of force leading to destruction of business

The crackdown was also halted by court rulings, court rulings which former Principal Secretary (PS), KIbicho, said were ruled on basis of corruption since the owners are wealthy and can bribe their way out.

 

 

3.Uhurus  Kenyatta’s  Second Crackdown.

The Government launched another 3-month crackdown especially on most affected areas as the alcohol-related death had increased. The initiative was spearheaded by PS Kibicho.The exercise involved destroying the brews through pouring the illicit brews. In the exercise the government had overcame the hurdles that were placed by the producers and the exercise was relatively successfully.

Although the department noted gaps in the law where the devolution gave authority to county governments to license bars. The devolved units have misused the role by starting to licensing standardization, exportation and even importation.

He also noted that the counties have also been awarding license with an aim to collect more revenue, where he said the executive was working with parliament to amend some laws so as to maintain order in the alcohol brewing industry.

 

4.. County government Role in this menace

The county government were tasked with the issue of licensing bars. This has led to county governments to license bars with an aim of collecting more revenue. This has led to the crisis of alcoholism to increase since county governments are not strict enough.

Similarly, it has been noted that some of the county government officials are licensing some bars through illegal means.

5.Rutos 2022 November: Government re-license 29 factories of methanol and spirits.

The new administration led by the president has been on the limelight of licensing several liquor companies that had been banned by the former regime. This has been one of the kickbacks in the proposed fight on alcohol by the same government.

6.Rigathi Gachagua Prospect on the Fight

The deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, has been tasked with fighting the menace. The deputy president has ordered a crackdown on illicit liquor.

The crackdown will be spearheaded by provincial administrators in conjunction with the county governments so as to curb the trade on illicit brews. The deputy president has also said that the administrators should shun from politics as they execute the crackdown.

Rigathi Gachagua also declared that county governments to review the procedure and regulations for licensing the bars. The fight will be mainly focused in rural areas. Rigathi Gachagua said that only one bar and restaurant should operate in each town so as to reduce the menace.

 

7.Political Instrumentation of the Alcohol Fight

The anti-alcohol campaigns by politicians adopts as a political tool so as to appeal to most Kenyans especially in the low and middle crisis. Fighting alcoholism will definitely make such a politician gain support. This can be shown by the deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who has been attempting to gain popularity especially in the Mt Kenya region

Similarly, political instrumentation can be involved since some politicians are involved in the production of illicit brews and the national-level politicians may tend to promote the trade for them to benefit

8.What should be the solution?

As the campaign continue to fight the menace, it’s better to understand what’s the root cause of the problem. Studies show that the unemployment rates in Kenya are high amid increase in prices of basic commodities. The unemployment and high cost of life is a great contributor to the consumption of adulterated alcohol as it is cheap. Therefore as the government tries to enact regulations and bans it is important to address the unemployment issues.

 

 

 

 

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 [DN1]