MURANG’A, Kenya – In a unified call for action, religious leaders from Murang’a County have voiced their concerns over the current approaches employed by the government in combating illicit brews and alcoholism within the central region of Kenya. The criticism comes from members of the Mulika Initiative Forum, a coalition comprising representatives from the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
According to Kenya News Agency, Coordinator of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission in Nairobi, the existing strategies to curb alcoholism are flawed, primarily due to corruption within liquor licensing bodies. These agencies are accused of issuing permits for the sale of substandard liquor, thus exacerbating the problem. Muiruri emphasized the need to target the producers of illicit and substandard brews rather than focusing solely on the destruction of impounded liquor, which he believes offers no long-term solution.
During a stakeholders’ meeting held in Murang’a on Tuesday, Muiruri highlighted the significant impact of alcoholism on the youth, linking it to the high rates of unemployment. He advocated for the government to seek more effective measures to address these issues, including involving religious organizations in the efforts against alcohol and drug abuse.
The Mulika Initiative Forum is actively monitoring the utilization of funds sent to counties, aiming to ensure that such resources are used wisely, particularly in combating alcoholism. Muiruri raised concerns about the integrity of the process for licensing liquor outlets, suggesting that corruption in this area is leading to the operation of illegal bars.
Shaban Bakari, Chairman of SUPKEM in the central region, echoed Muiruri’s concerns, pointing out the severe consequences of alcoholism on the region’s youth. He described the tragic loss of 23 lives in Kirinyaga two weeks prior due to the consumption of poisonous brews as a stark reminder of the crisis. Bakari criticized the government’s current tactics in fighting alcoholism, arguing that the focus should be on the producers and sellers of these dangerous brews, who are known within the community.
The religious leaders’ collective stance underscores the urgency of reevaluating and strengthening the strategies to combat alcohol and drug abuse in Murang’a and the wider central region. They call for a collaborative approach that includes community and religious stakeholders in the fight against this menace, aiming to safeguard the future of the region’s young population.