Parents in Kisumu County have been blamed for the increased alcohol consumption rate among youths and students.
Speaking yesterday while in his office in Kisumu town, Ben Opiyo the County Alcoholic Drinks and Control Directorate Director said that it had come to be a habit whereby parents takes their young children to drinking joints during weekends and also holidays which was exposing them to alcohol at a very young age.
"What do you expect when you start taking your child to drinking joints and you yourself engages in some bottles of beer. The child will soon want to find out how the beer tastes," Opiyo said.
Opiyo said that they were going to hold a public meeting whose main aim and agenda will be to educate all the parents on the dangers and repercussions of exposing their children to alcohol at a very young and tender age.
"We are also going to invite some health experts who are going to talk to the students issues relating to alcohol. I am also going to meet all the bar owners next week and urge them not to sell alcohol to young children," Opiyo said.
Opiyo went ahead and gave a stern warning to all the bar owners and operators that if they are caught selling alcohol to young children, they will be arrested and prosecuted.
"Those who are selling alcohol to young children are risking a jail term that does not exceed one year or a fine of Ksh. 150,000," Opiyo said.