The Nakuru Alcohol Manufacturers Association (NAMA) officials have accused the Kenya Bureau of Standards of sleeping on the job, as there exists many substandard and unlicensed alcohol in the local market.
Speaking to members of the association at a Nakuru Hotel on Sunday during a special general meeting called to discuss the rampant availability of unlicensed alcoholic drinks in Nakuru, the Chairman of the association Michael Gaitho said the government agency had failed to reinforce law by preventing and controlling illegal manufacture and distribution of substandard products.
According to Gaitho, Many fake alcoholic drinks have flooded the Nakuru market, a fact that poses danger to consumers while also draining away the legal manufacturers’ profits.
He observed that despite reports made by his association and the National Campaign against Drug Abuse (NACADA), the bureau had failed to take any meaningful action to eradicate the menace of fake alcoholic drinks in the market.
“I want to say here that KEBS is sleeping on the job. It is a toothless dog that barks but seldom bites. We have carried out investigations and reported to it about their existence of fake alcohol drinks in the market but so far nothing has been done,” said Gaitho.
“We are telling them to wake up because this illegal activities are affecting our performances and also exposing members of the public to danger,” added Gaitho.
He further promised to mobilize members of his association to take a legal action against the government, for abetting and failing to stop illegal alcohol manufacturers in the town as well as confronting the illegal manufacturers and handing them to law enforcers.