Kenyan MP claims life is in danger

Written By:Glena Nyamwaya, Posted: Mon, Sep 06, 2010

Naivasha MP John Mututho who sponsored the recently passed Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2010 claims his life is in danger.

Mututho claims he has received several threatening messages through his phone since the bill was assented to by the President last month.

The MP said he had reported the matter to the police for investigations.

Mututho expressed alarm over the misinterpretation of the new law which he blamed on the failure by Kenyans to read and understand the contents of the alcohol control law that comes into effect by October 27.

Manufacturers and bar owners have 90 days to comply with the act.

The MP claimed the new law was rubbing the beer industry the wrong way and he has received

death threats which he has reported to the authorities.

Mututho expressed concern that the law was now being referred to as the changaa law yet its core objective was to regulate the beer industry.

Dozens of Kenyans have lost their lives or eyesights in the past after consuming illicit alcohol that is brewed under unhygienic circumstances with the sellers sometimes adding chemicals in a bid to make it more portent but oftentimes with disastrous results.

This is what prompted action through legislation initiated by the Naivasha MP in a bid to ensure manufacturers adhere to set standards in the production of the brews.

The Act also controls the promotion of alcohol products as brewers cannot sponsor events in which anyone under 18 is participating in, and can only advertise on electronic media after 10pm.

The manufacturers of alcoholic beverages will also be compelled to submit all ingredients of their drinks for verification before their distribution into the market.

NACADA is currently compiling a list of all the banned substances and another one of the legal drinks that will be released within the 90-day period.