Members of the County Assembly have backed initiatives by the County Executive in collaboration with a multi- agency team from the National Government to weed out illicit alcohol in Kirinyaga County.
In a sombre session where MCAs through personal statements eulogized the twenty three victims of the recent devastating incident of alcohol poisoning in Kangai and Mutithi wards the MCAs expressed their support to the ongoing crack down in the county to eliminate illicit alcohol.
In his remarks Kangai ward MCA Hon. James Wambu expressed his gratitude to the county leadership led by the Governor H.E Anne Waiguru and the County Assembly led by Speaker Hon. Muteti Murimi for standing in solidarity with the community of Kangai in time of adversity. He called for stringent enforcement of regulations to control the production, distribution, sale and consumption of alcohol. He emphasised on the need for Members of the County Assembly as representatives of the people to join hands with the law enforcement agencies to eradicate the sale and consumption of illicit alcohol in the county.
Regretting the incident Hon. Fredrick Karimi of Inoi ward who is also the chairperson of the committee spearheding the enactment of the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023 underscored the need for the County Assembly to collaborate with the County Executive and National Government agencies to address the root causes of alcohol poisoning and prevent such incidents in the future. He called upon the MCAs to support the bill once it is brought t to the house for the second reading.
In her speech Hon. Lucy Mwaniki bemoaned the impact of alcoholism in the society citing gender based violence, sexual abuse, dysfunctional families and societal disintegration as some of the major impacts resulting from alcoholism in the county.
In an emotional address to the County Assembly. Hon. Jinaro Njamumo of Mutithi ward acknowledged the impact the incidence has had on the communities of Kangai and Mutithi Wards. He expressed his condolences and unwavering support to the affected families. He emphasized the need for increased efforts to identify and prosecute individuals and organizations involved in the production and distribution of illicit alcohol.
Members of the County Assembly who expressed their views on the matter called for the strengthening of regulations and oversight of the alcohol industry to ensure compliance with safety standards and legal requirements. They committed to work closely with legitimate alcohol producers, distributors and sellers to curb the illicit trade and protect the industry’s integrity and the livelihoods of those business that are
conforming with the set out regulations and quality standards