The role of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has come under sharp scrutiny as MPs question their efficiency in taming the proliferation of fake alcoholic drinks.
According to the lawmakers, various brands of alcohol bear KRA stamps and the Kebs mark of quality, making Kenyans believe they are genuine products, safe for consumption.
MPs, however, say the marks from the two agencies have turned out to be fake and are issued by some officers to facilitate the sale of fake alcoholic drinks that have turned deadly.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said the country needs to deal with the crisis holistically, ranging from the health, administrative and security perspectives.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah.
Photo credit: Jared Nataya | NMG
“People are selling fake revenue stamps from KRA along Kiambu Road. They are well known. Kebs has been dealing with the revenue stamp issue for the last four years, but it remains unresolved,” Mr Ichung’wah said.
He added: “People are still printing revenue stamps, fixing them on fake alcohol, and selling them to people who believe those revenue and Kebs stamps are genuine, when they are being printed in China. Where is KRA in that matter? We must deal with it.”
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge said county government agencies are the weakest link in the fight against fake alcohol, while bodies such as KRA are only interested in collecting taxes.
“Counties are the weakest link in this fight. In Nyeri, bars are operating because they are awaiting approval until the end of August. So, they have no licences. Apparently, the licences are being processed,” said Mr Mathenge.
“I was once present during a KRA inspection exercise. A pickup vehicle full of products was present. KRA inspectors said all the KRA stamps affixed to the products were fake. When the case was taken to court, KRA said it was no longer a party because the vendor agreed to pay taxes,” Mr Mathenge said.
Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematiah regretted that an entire generation is being wasted by the fake alcohol menace while society is just watching.
“As MPs, we will make laws and formulate policies to stop manufacturers and institutions that produce fake alcohol to stop this problem. But the bigger issue is we cannot legislate morals and intentions,” Ms Jematiah said.
“There is a missing link not only in government operations, but also in society. We are watching a generation drain away,” she said.
“In last year’s Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment, alcoholism was not the only reason for disqualification, but also other drugs and substance abuse. It is even worse when girls and young mothers are involved. It is just crazy,” Ms Jematiah said.
Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda wants the government to outline measures it is taking to identify, track, intercept and destroy adulterated alcohol before they reach consumers.
Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
“The government should also tell this House the steps that have been taken by national agencies in collaboration with county governments to identify and dismantle the networks that are involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of adulterated alcoholic beverages, specifying the action taken against the persons responsible,” Ms Lesuuda said.
The MPs now want the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Kebs and other relevant regulatory and enforcement agencies to reveal the steps they have taken to ensure alcoholic beverages in the market meet the prescribed quality, safety and health standards.
They are also demanding the number of reported cases of poisoning, serious illness and fatalities associated with the consumption of adulterated alcoholic drinks, including the brands or products involved, findings of laboratory analyses on the affected products, the substances detected and action taken.
They also want the Ministry of the Interior to inform the House about the surveillance, inspection and enforcement mechanisms in place to prevent the production, distribution and sale of illicit brew. This should include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the measures in deterring offenders and safeguarding consumers.
