Licensed to drink: The reason Kenya is losing its deadly battle with alcohol

Story by SAMWEL KUMBA
Publication Date: 8/26/2007

After living in denial for a long time, Kenya is slowly waking up to its growing alcohol problem. In the latest of staggering steps meant to control overindulgence and related risks among Kenyans, industry players launched a campaign early in the week against underage drinking.

The campaign by the National Alcohol Beverages Association of Kenya (Nabak) called “We ID”, among other things, requires bar operators to ask their patrons to produce national identity cards as proof of age. This, the association hopes, will ensure that young people below the legal drinking age of 18 years keep off the bottle.

The Nabak initiative follows the introduction of the Alcoblow — the breath testing gadget — by the traffic police to curb drunk driving last year. The gadget was, however, withdrawn from the roads after a motorist successfully challenged its use in court.

But even before the alcohol sellers and makers begin to take stock of their successes or failures, anti-alcohol and drug abuse campaigners are warning that a liberal liquor licensing system, which allows business people to operate bars and restaurants everywhere, is making such efforts count for little.
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