Nacada blames KRA, police for killer methanol

Kenya: National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) chairman John Mututho has accused the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the police for not co-operating in recovery of the killer methanol that is said to be mixed with illegal brews.

Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Mr Mututho said requests by the authority to KRA and the police to recall or track down the methanol have not been responded to, thereby risking the lives of thousands of Kenyans who drink liquor.

He claimed that KRA auctioned at least 20,000 litres of methanol in Mombasa in March this year, adding that the deadly chemical was used in the killer drinks that caused hundreds of deaths two months ago in Embu, Kiambu, Makueni and Kitui counties.

"Our communications to KRA and police remain unanswered. The lack of co-operation might just cause more deaths in the near future. The methanol is out there, somewhere and unscrupulous brewers may use it. KRA and police will be fully held responsible," he said.

KRA auctioned the consignment after the importer defaulted on taxes, but the Nacada chairman says the taxman should now move with speed to locate and destroy the chemical.

"In recent weeks, we have seen the deaths of a few people from killer brews, especially in Nairobi. We suspect the methanol in question is the one being used. That is why we insist that KRA and the police should do something," he told the MPs.

At the meeting, it also emerged that Mututho and Nacada CEO William Okedi are still in sharp disagreement. Mr Okedi told the MPs that Mututho was overstepping his mandate as chairman of the board and acting like the CEO of the authority.

"Mututho should be chairing board meetings, not coming to the office daily to run the organisation. He should let us work," he said.