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By DANIEL PSIRMOI
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has differed with a new set of rules proposed by National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse chairman John Mututho.
Speaking during Kenya@50 celebrations at the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Lusaka said he appreciates the good work the anti-drug and alcohol abuse czar is doing, but stressed that he should not overstep his mandate.
“Mututho’s proposal to curb the menace is in good faith, we appreciate his work, but I would like to remind him that liquor licencing is a devolved function and should therefore be left to the county governments,” said Lusaka, who quickly added that his stand should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of irresponsible drinking.
Impromptu checks
Early this week, Mututho announced a new a raft of measures meant to control drug and substance abuse, which includes a proposal for payment of Sh1,000 for drinking alcohol.
The money will go towards obtaining a licence from the government.
Motorists carrying soft drinks such as sodas and water will be subjected to impromptu checks on roads to confirm if they are carrying alcohol in the containers.
Lusaka asked Mututho to hold talks with governors before implementing the proposal.
“Liquor licencing is a major source of revenue for most counties. In Bungoma, we made a projection of raising Sh900 million from it to fund the deficit in our budget. Paying fines to police will in essence deny the county governments revenue,” he said.
During the launch of a campaign against drunk driving on Wednesday in Nairobi, Mututho said Kenyans will henceforth be required to obtain a permit from the police before they serve drinks to friends at house parties. He also proposed that drinking at private house parties must end by 11pm.
According to the former Naivasha MP, those who breach the new laws, which he said Nacada has directed all the 47 county regional managers to implement, will be required to part with fines ranging between Sh30,000 and Sh100,000.
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