Why Gachagua Wants To Bring Back Cheap, Healthy Alcohol To Markets

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, March 25 revealed that the government is working on a model of reintroducing low-priced but healthy and affordable alcoholic drinks as one of the ways of eradicating illicit brew on the market.

Speaking in an interview at vernacular stations Kameme TV and Kameme FM, Gachagua explained that under the model, the government will also address taxation, which impedes the production of cheaper but healthy brands.

He revealed that talks are ongoing with a leading alcoholic beverages manufacturer over the production of the low-priced beverage.

He however did not immediately state how much the beverage would cost.

“We have asked the manufacturer to start a cheap, healthy and affordable alcoholic drink. We will address the taxation issue.

"The main problem is the portable spirits, whose alcohol level is extremely high and toxic- which have ruined families. As a government we have a responsibility to eradicate the illicit brews,” said the DP.

Gachagua added that the ongoing fight is targeting manufacturers and sellers of illicit and illegal brews.

The DP highlighted the government’s achievements and the ongoing efforts to turn around the economy, thus his sentiments regarding protecting bar owners operating legally, even though he tasked them to come up with a union aimed at weeding out the quack traders.

“Legit businesses will not be affected by the crackdown. Bar owners must unite and work with the government to eradicate the rogue traders and manufacturers producing the killer drinks.

"Instead of rushing to court to fight the crackdown, the bar owners should establish an organization to eradicate the rogue traders amongst them,” he said.

The DP further called upon bar owners to desist from claims that the government is going to war with their businesses over the nationwide crackdown on illicit alcohol.

"They should assist the government in eradicating illicit drinks as they have also destroyed their businesses. We are not fighting legitimate businesses because the Ruto Administration supports genuine enterprises,” he stated.

Gachagua affirmed that the government will not allow unscrupulous traders to kill people.

“Greed and overnight chase for accumulation of wealth led us into this menace. Let us be reasonable and responsible towards wealth creation.

"We will do whatever we can to win the war. The illicit brews have ruined families and killed young people,” he said.

He also urged governors to open rehabilitation wards in Level Four hospitals to treat addicts of alcoholism.

Notably, on Thursday, March 14, President William Ruto warned that the government would demolish businesses found to be trading in illicit alcohol in the country.

"Whenever someone is found producing illicit alcohol without a licence, it's not just that we will shut them down, we will demolish that place and destroy all the equipment they use to harm our youth,” Ruto vowed.

He further implored the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to take the lead in terms of the prevention of the issuing of licences to individuals and entities importing illicit alcohol to the country.