Address causes, not symptoms to win war against alcoholism

There are likely to be more liquor outlets than schools and churches per square kilometre in most parts of Kenya. That is the reality that we must contend with. Alcoholism is a problem that even transcends our political divide and must be tackled.

President Uhuru Kenyatta set the ball rolling when he berated legislators from the Central Kenya region last week and ordered them to ensure all illicit brew outlets were closed and owners arrested. Cases of fatalities after imbibing poisonous alcohol have been on the rise. A report by the National Authority for the Control of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) indicates 6,000 people die annually from alcohol-related ailments.