- The MPs cautioned Kenyans against over-indulging as they celebrate Christmas and New Year.
- The lawmakers also called on Kenyans to support efforts of caregivers entrusted with the responsibility of assisting victims.
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGA
Women legislators have warned that the country has been flooded with illicit alcohol as Kenyans go into the festive season.
The lawmakers, who are members of the Drugs and Alcoholism Caucus in Parliament, regretted that the illegal liquor is also easily available to minors.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba apportioned blame to the police, county administrators and village elders, whom she accused of laxity.
“It has become very easy to get illicit alcohol and drugs. Even our underage children access them without any difficulty,” she said.
Speaking at a press conference at Parliament Buildings, Wamuchomba added that legislators are planning to amend health laws to have drug and alcohol addiction categorised as a disease.
“Addiction has not been recognised as a disease and this has made interventions difficult. NHIF does not cover matters related to addiction,” she said.
Woman Representatives Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga), Esther Passaris (Nairobi) and Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni, Phyllis Bartoo (Moiben) and Jane Kihara (Naivasha) accompanied Wamuchomba.
The lawmakers issued the statement after holding a consultative forum to deliberate on the influx of drugs and illicit alcohol across the country.
Wamuchomba further lamented that the police have not been properly trained to deal with cases of addition.
“When you arrest an addict and throw him into the cell, isn’t that disastrous. You are killing them because this is a sick person you are throwing into the cell,” she said.
Adagala said the police have a key role in eliminating the menace of illicit liquor.
“We should not leave everything to the police. Parents, chiefs and elders also have very important roles to play in fighting the problem,” she added.
Kihara cautioned Kenyans against over-indulging as they celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Passaris said they have agreed to create awareness and advocate for the implementation of existing legislation and where necessary push for the creation of regulations in order to safeguard the lives of the youth.
“We wish to declare our commitment to this cause and extend and invitation to our colleague legislators who are not part of this caucus to join us,” she said.
Passaris challenged various agencies mandated to fight drug, substance and alcohol abuse to heighten their action and work with the caucus towards tightening legislative interventions.,
The MPs also called on Kenyans to support efforts of caregivers entrusted with the responsibility of assisting victims.