CS Kuria Proposes Reforms on Cracking Down of Illicit Brew

Moses Kuria, the Trade Cabinet Secretary, has proposed reforms that his ministry wants to make to lessen the amount of illegal alcohol in Kenya.

Kuria said in a statement that he had received a report from the Standards Council under the chairmanship of Jeremiah Kinyua after receiving a 48-hour directive.

“The report is to consider suspending the Portable Spirits Standard on the ongoing reforms in the alcohol industry,” he said.

In the report, the Council made reforms to the portable spirits standard that would improve oversight of how manufacturers handle ethanol.

Kuria additionally proposed charging for exercise duties in order to increase industry entrance obstacles.

In order to stop the widespread ethanol cross-border smuggling, Kuria also wants spirits manufacturers—not ethanol producers—to pay 100% exercise duty.

“We are also looking into amending the portable spirits standard in order to strengthen control on ethanol handling by manufacturers,” Kuria noted.

The National Assembly Committee on Finance received more proposals from Kuria on June 12 to set the minimum retail price for a quarter liter of wines and spirits at Sh250.

A sale of alcohol for less than Sh250, according to the CS, suggests that the goods are probably illegal.

“I have given the Finance Committee a recommendation that any 250ml wines and spirits should not be sold below cost price. Where that cost price is going to be published by the Kenya Revenue Authority from time to time,” he said.