Raise beer prices by Sh56 a litre, Treasury told

Treasury has been asked to increase taxes on beer by at least Sh56 per litre.

In a statement, 17 civil society groups also recommended that prices of wines should rise by minimum Sh97 per litre while price of spirits should rise by Sh142 per litre.

The groups, which met in Kisumu, offered their recommendations to fight alcoholism, which the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has termed a crisis saying that 3.2 million Kenyans consume alcohol.

Recently, at least 20 people died after consuming contaminated alcohol in Kirinyaga.

The civil society groups said increase of excise tax on alcoholic drinks are considered the most effective way of alcoholism by reducing alcohol affordability.

They said this is supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“We note that the current excise rates on beer, wines, and spirits are Sh142.44 per litre, Sh243.43 per litre, and Sh356.42 per litre, respectively. These rates were last reviewed in October 2022,” they said.

They then recommended new increases on taxes.

“As such, we look forward to new excise rates for beer, wines, and spirits at Sh199.42, Sh340.80, and Sh498.99, respectively,” they said.

They also called for a total ban on online promotion and advertisement of alcohol.

They said marketers directly target vulnerable children and youth, increasing their risk of early alcohol consumption and its devastating health consequences.

“Additionally, we recommend strict enforcement and enhanced legal provisions for a total ban on alcohol selling within a 300-metre radius of schools and institutions of learning, churches, and areas frequented by children, which expose vulnerable populations to alcohol,” they said in a statement.

The groups asked the government to use the money raised from alcohol licensing for rehabilitation and treatment of addicts.

Last month, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki ordered a nationwide crackdown on all village bars across the country in response to the tragic deaths of 20 individuals in Kirinyaga.

This week, he said the government has so far shut down 18,650 illegal liquor joints.

Kindiki on Monday announced that also 14 distilleries manufacturing toxic killer brew have been closed and their production infrastructure destroyed.

"12,150 premises which were operating across the 47 counties without licenses and 6,500 others which were licensed contrary to National Law on proximity to learning institutions have been shut," he said.

The CS was speaking in Homa Bay County where he commended the County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) on a commendable job in the fight against illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances contributing significantly to the National efforts.

Kindiki also held a meeting with the Homabay CSIC .

He stated that new laws in the fight against illicit drugs will be submitted to Parliament next month.

"New stringent laws to combat illicit drugs and substance abuse will be submitted to Parliament next month," the CS added.