Nairobi is officially Kenya’s drinking capital. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. A recent survey by NACADA showed that North Eastern and Nyanza are the lowest alcohol consumers. The North-Eastern region’s rate stands at 2% while Nyanza is at 10.2%. The central province has a rate of 10.6% perhaps due to the high number of anti-alcohol campaigns and crusades. The fight against alcohol in Central province focused on the number of drinking outlets such as bars, restaurants, clubs, and pubs.
Low-income earners have a tendency of spending too much on cheap alcohol. However, the wealthy and middle class spend a fortune on good brands of alcohol. The rise of disposable income from Miraa and Muguka farmers has increased the level of disposable income. The other avenue of good money comes from tobacco farming. These places have experienced a high number of alcoholism cases. The other issue is that the number of bars has increased which means that there is a steady rise in the number of consumers.
Globally, alcohol consumption contributes to 3.3 million deaths and 5.1% of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and its use is linked with more than 200 disease and injury conditions. Kenya has 2.8 million persons who are medium to heavy alcohol consumers. Every year, the nation loses 5,000 persons to alcohol disorders and accidents.
What are the solutions to Kenya’s Alcoholism Problems?
- Raise alcohol taxes
- Eliminate local brews
- Sensitize people on the dangers of alcoholism
- Increase rehabilitation centers
- Legalize local brews and tax them
When alcohol taxes go higher, the number of people drinking will definitely reduce. However, there is a loophole, they will escape to local and illicit brews that have ‘killer content’. The control of alcoholism is a quagmire that needs massive resources and campaigns.