The hiking of alcohol prices in the 2019/20 budget statement will promote the production of cheap illicit brew, Former National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) Chairman John Mututho has said.
Muthutho, who was addressing journalists in Nakuru, faulted Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich for the new announcement.
He also said that the consumption of cheap liquor has had negative impact on the general population and increase in the prices will worsen the situation.
He has called upon Rotich and other stakeholders to work together to ensure the prices remain normal for the sake of saving lives of consumers.
“The new policy will promote the use of unsafe traditional brews and development of harmful counterfeits. I totally disagree with the move to increase duty on alcohol,” said Mututho, as quoted by Standard.
He instead urged the government to increase the tax on alcohol from companies. He noted that making the alcohol cheaper will give even the poor a chance to drink.
The budget release has continued to elicit mixed reactions from different factions.
The increase on dbetting tax, Boda Boda insurance and alcohol price increment are some of the aspects that have captured the attention of most Kenyans.
Rotich revealed that the budget was going to cost the country Sh. 3 trillion.