59% of alcohol being consumed by Kenyans is illicit- Eric Githua

25 May 2024

•Githua expressed his concerns about the quality of alcoholic beverages in the country and warned that the proposed tax law could worsen the situation.

Eric Githua, The chairman of the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK)has revealed that 60 percent of alcohol sold in Kenyan stores is illegal.

Githua expressed his concerns about the quality of alcoholic beverages in the country and warned that the proposed tax law could worsen the situation.

"We have a major issue with illicit alcohol. Last year we realised that up to 59% of alcohol sold in Kenya is illicit. Six bottles out of 10 are illicit."

He further added

"People are drinking illicit alcohol because genuine alcohol is too expensive."

Under the new law, the excise tax on spirits may increase by 79 percent, potentially raising the current rate of Ksh356 per litre to Ksh640 if approval

Check out some of the reactions by Kenyans to the news.

😭😭Kumbe ndio maana siku hizi mtu analewa haraka 💔😅😅Alafu hangover ni 1week

smallie.smallz_: Nilijua tu nakunywanga upuzi😢

iam_dav.e: Na ndio navaa nifike wines juu leo ni Friday😂😂

official_tevin8: Ndio maana nimelala siku tatu 💔😂

_.m.endoza._: Uzuri sikunywangi pombe (naimeza tu)

wa9oro: Ata ikue counterfeit bado tutakunywa hatujali😂

dickson_isthat_guy: Ndio maana mm ni mtu wa chai ama soda baridi...if I must take a hot drink nakunywa uji moto.

terencecreative: Ndio kwa maana niliiacha