More than 27,000 alcohol selling joints face closure over the ongoing countrywide crackdown on alcoholism.
This as according to the Bar Hotels Liquor Traders Association of Kenya (BAHLITA)
BAHLITA through their National Secretary General Bonface Gachoka warned that there are looming job cuts if no dialogue will be structured.
Currently the association has 54,000 members countrywide, employing 560,000 Kenyans.
The SG said the government is forcing legally operating bars, to shut down noting that despite complying with the set rules and regulations, the state has gone ahead and closed down thousands of outlets while other licenses are being revoked.
“The rejection of applications for liquor licences is often couched in vague, general and opaque terms. The net effect has been the locking out of over 50 percent of establishments by not renewing their licenses,” said Gachoka.
This according to the association will lead to loss of jobs running into hundreds of thousands for young men and women.
He maintained that the focus should be on outlets dealing in illegal liquor.
A survey commissioned by the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) on the impact of illicit alcohol on the economy, showed that Kenya loses an average of Sh71 billion in taxes annually as a result of the proliferation of the sale of illicit alcohol in the country.
“The fact that government also loses revenue through the unscrupulous sale of illicit alcohol also gives us enough reason to lead the way in this fight,” added Gachoka.
According to the lobby they have continued to bear the cost of high taxation despite complying the state regulations.
Close to half of the alcohol in the Kenyan market is illicit, with Bahlita’s our market share at 55 percent while the remaining 45 percent is illicit and counterfeits.
The association maintained that the push to close down bars coupled with increased taxes will further spike the influx of counterfeits and illicit brews in the market.
