Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has strongly criticized recent proposals by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), terming them as misguided and potentially harmful to Kenya’s economy and social fabric.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s Daybreak program on Thursday, Maanzo argued that NACADA’s focus on restricting access to alcohol, including proposals to ban online sales and prohibit celebrity endorsements, misses the real issue plaguing the country the widespread consumption of dangerous, unregulated alcoholic brews.
“The biggest problem in Kenya is poisonous alcohol,” Maanzo said. “We have seen alcohol that makes people lose their eyes. That’s what the government should first be dealing with eliminating the manufacture of poisonous alcohol.”
He emphasized that alcohol consumption is a global phenomenon, and rather than clamping down on marketing and access, the government should prioritize ensuring the quality and safety of alcoholic products on the market. Maanzo called for tighter controls on the production of safe and regulated alcohol, arguing that societal self-control and responsible drinking should be encouraged instead of blanket bans.
The Senator also faulted NACADA’s failure to adequately engage stakeholders in the alcohol industry before drafting the proposals. “You cannot make this sort of thing without consulting the industry,” he said. “There must be sufficient public participation. Kenyans can find a middle ground that ensures quality, protects jobs, and enforces age limits.”
Maanzo warned that the proposed regulations could have serious economic repercussions, particularly for young people employed in the alcohol industry. He cautioned that a poorly thought-out crackdown could worsen public discontent, especially in light of the recent deadly anti-government protests that have swept the nation.
Instead of sweeping bans, Maanzo advocated for a more balanced approach one that involves stakeholders, protects consumers from dangerous brews, and preserves livelihoods. “Let’s fix the real problem the poisonous alcohol before we hurt our own economy,” he concluded.
