How Kenya Could Win In the Fight Against Illicit Brews

Property worth millions is being destroyed in the war against illicit brews. Orders from the Kenyan government to withdraw licenses of 2^nd generation alcoholic drinks have led to the closure of hundreds of businesses especially wines and spirits shops. Kenyans have joined the fight but the government has gone overboard with what should or shouldn’t be sold.

According to residents in Othaya, this war is an indiscriminate destruction of property, afteralcohol worth 3.4 million KShs was poured and set ablaze. The local people appreciate the government’s effort to control illicit brew consumption but have also requested that an authenticity test be carried out before destroying valuable property.

Arnold, who is a frequent social media user and influencer pointed out some key issues on his twitter account which should the president consider, would help win the fight against illicit brewing hence no business man will suffer unfair losses.

He points out that whenever there is a demand for a product, banning it or fighting it leads to the development of a vibrant black market. The people with the courage to participate in a black market are usually unprincipled business men who have no morals or standards.

Law abiding citizens who sometimes are experts in the manufacturing and distribution of the prohibited product stop associating with it, leading to a rise in quacks and money minded individuals whose sole purpose is profit, even if it is at the expense of human lives.

Legalizing it on the other hand, allows for fair competition and the freedom of choice by consumers. The products improves as a result. It also enables for creation of clear channels of inspection and certification which ensures very little harmful product is sold.

Instead of banning and fighting illicit liquor, we should be looking at legalizing and standardizing traditional liquor to meet evident demand we have. The more we fight it, the higher the number of deaths we see as what is produced is almost always not fit for human consumption.

So instead of our cash strapped state misappropriating revenue fighting it, they should set a body to standardize and license the product.

Arnold has a point the government should think deep before acting.