Opinion: Eradicating Illicit Alcohol Will Succeed Only If Kenya’s Economy Is Strengthened

Deaths resulting from the consumption of illicit toxic alcohol, as witnessed in Kirinyaga County, have been increasing every day.

Leaders have been promising and vowing to eradicate the brewing and sale of illicit brews that have been claiming the lives of young people.

However, as they make these promises, people continue to die, indicating that the strategies employed in this fight are not bearing fruit.

One thing is clear: these efforts do not address the root cause of this crisis.

It is a crisis because illicit brews have been reported to be claiming lives across the country, with many of the victims being energetic youth who could contribute to nation-building. The fact that they are resorting to consuming illicit alcohol shows that they cannot afford safe alcohol, and this is where the fight should begin.

The first step in addressing this situation should be to strengthen the economy to provide youth with employment opportunities and decent wages.

Secondly, the government should crack down on those manufacturing and selling illicit brews, including administrative and security officials who allow these activities to continue in the areas they serve.

Before doing so, leaders must cleanse themselves by not shielding those involved in the production and sale of illicit alcohol or those importing unauthorized alcohol into the country.

This is because the illicit alcohol traders are associates of influential people within the government who protect them, making the task of law enforcement officers to eradicate this vice challenging.

It is not surprising that some people who condemn this business are benefiting from it, while the country continues to lose its citizens.

Therefore, achieving success in the fight against illicit alcohol requires more than just arresting sellers. This fight requires good intentions, cooperation, and determination.

Without strengthening the economy, it will be difficult to eradicate this vice.