The National Bar Owners Association has asked the national and county governments to  consult widely and adhere to the principles of a free-market economy as it implements an  agreement reached last week for regulation of the alcoholic beverages sector.

Members of the association said the agreements reached at a meeting in Nyeri last week  presided over by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua would require the two levels of  government to tread carefully.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, the association said the governments need to  strike a balance between addressing a social concern and maintaining a business-friendly  environment that encourages investment and job creation.

“A unilateral approach to this menace will mean that there will be a proliferation of illegal  trade thereby denying the government its fair share of revenue in form of taxes,”

said  Boniface Gachoka, the association’s secretary general.

The association is of the view that the campaign spearheaded by Deputy President  Rigathi Gachagua is a welcome move as it would promote public participation and the  involvement of all stakeholders in tackling the menace.

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The communique issued last Friday provides a structured approach to dealing with the  alcohol abuse menace, said the association, but noted that the rapid increases of tax on  alcohol have contributed to consumers, especially the lower-income range, turning to the  cheaper and unfortunately easily available illicit liquor in the market.

“The problem in alcohol abuse begins with the easy availability of illicit alcohol in the  market, much of it the product of suspicious manufacturers,” said Mr Gachoka.

The association said that despite communique issued in Nyeri, the harassment of bar and  liquor traders has continued in Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu and Laikipia through  arbitrary and unfair arrests on the pretext that they are operating beyond hours.

The association said the proposal to limit the number of alcoholic outlets per area  amounts to the government interfering with the operations of legible investors who should  be allowed to set up their businesses and then compete in an open market for customers.

Addressing the issue would also require that county governments have uniform liquor  rules to provide predictability.

“On the proposal to undertake a census exercise that covers manufacturers and  distributors of alcoholic drkins within counties, the association’s view is that it is essential  that this is done with a well-established structure and rules to ensure that only legitimate  businesses thrive. As we have often stated, the problem with alcohol and drug abuse  starts with checking the quality of the products in the market,”

said Simon Njoroge, the  association’s chairman.

The association said the proposed amendments to existing regulations should be  preceded by comprehensive stakeholder engagements across the country, incorporating  best practices and aiming to foster an enabling business environment.

They said the proposal to map, vet and inspect outlets selling alcohol is welcome but it  would be crucial to ensure the criteria is agreed upon beforehand and published to provide  businesses with clear guidelines.

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Bahlita also backed the proposed closure of all unlicensed outlets and have the vendors  prosecuted since unlicensed outlets are a major contributor to alcohol abuse as they trade  in unregulated illicit products while at the same time denying the government the much needed revenue.

“Bahlita wishes to categorically state that it supports the government’s efforts in fighting  illicit brews in the country. However, we reiterate that the implementation of such  measures should not be detrimental to the entrepreneurs who are conducting fair  business across the country,” said Mr. Njoroge.