President Uhuru Kenyatta has been urged to declare illicit liquor brewing an economic crime and rally his troops in parliament to pass laws that could see offenders getting life imprisonment. This comes a few months after the government launched a crackdown on illicit brewers that has reportedly gone cold with brewers resuming their usual businesses.
Mekenene MCA Mr. Alfayo Ngeresa on Wednesday said that the country was likely to continue suffering from an economic crisis since a youthful population has turned to a drinking spree hence avoiding doing constructive activities to earn a living.
“Time has come for the President to declare Chang’aa brewing an economic crime and urge MPs to come up with legislations that will see culprits imprisoned for life. Our youths have turned into drinking cheap liquor making the country lose manpower,” he said.
According to Mr. Ngeresa, the tough regulations will likely reduce the menace by a larger percentage instead of subjecting the culprits to simple laws that see them paying a small fine to be released.
“Illicit brewing is worse than corruption and it should be handled like a threat to our economy. With tough rules, we will see many bowing out because no one will risk getting life imprisonment,” he added.
He also urged the interior ministry to investigate a number of local chiefs and punish them for allegedly collaborating with brewers to go scot free.