Changaa legal

Production, sale and consumption of chang'aa could soon be legal if the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill of 2009 is enacted.

Parliament Wednesday passed the bill which now proceeds to the committee stage that will provide the government with the legal mechanisms to control the production, sale and consumption of the drink to protect the health of individuals.

Production and sale of chang'aa is currently illegal in the country but unscrupulous traders out to make a quick buck still engage in unhygienic and sometimes lethal production of the potent brew.

The fact that it is affordable draws consumers from the low income end sometimes with disastrous results as the dealers sometimes add harmful chemicals which have led to loss of lives.

The bill sponsored by Naivasha Member of Parliament John Mututho received the backing of a majority of legislators keen on having the Changa'a Prohibition Act repealed and a more effective mechanism put in place to ensure control of alcoholic drinks through strengthening the liquor licensing act as well as protect purchasers and consumers of alcoholic's drinks from misleading deceptive inducements.

Legislators lauded the bill as timely saying it would deal with the menace of illicit brews sold illegally, posing a health risk to Kenyans while rendering the youth who are sucked into excessive consumption of cheap alcohol unproductive.

The bill will also prohibit persons under the age of 18 from gaining access to alcohol, as well as promoting and providing treatment and rehabilitation programs for addicts or dependents of alcoholic drinks.

It will also see measures put in place to eliminate illicit trade in alcoholics drinks including smuggling, illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting.