By Job Okoth
Illegal beverages—those produced, sold, or transported without authorization—are contributing to an escalating health emergency in Kenya. Recent data reveals that Kenyans are consuming more unregulated drinks than legal ones, despite the dangers of poisoning, long-term health issues, and potential fatalities.
A new report from Euromonitor International, funded by the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK), indicates that Kenyans drank 3.6 liters of illegal alcohol per adult in 2024, while consuming 2.5 liters of legal alcohol.
The document describes illegal alcohol as drinks that bypass oversight and taxation, such as homemade brews, fake spirits posing as popular brands, and beverages brought into the country without proper safety inspections.
The results highlight a concerning inconsistency. Although numerous Kenyans recognize that these beverages are hazardous, they still choose to consume them due to their much lower cost and greater availability compared to legal alternatives.
According to survey findings, 61 percent of consumers are worried about experiencing severe harm from consuming illegal alcohol, with certain individuals linking it to blindness, organ damage, or even fatalities. Nevertheless, 94 percent of those surveyed admitted that illegal alcohol is significantly more affordable, with some varieties priced at less than half the cost of legal drinks.
Popular homebrews like Chang’aa, Busaa, and Muratina are prevalent in the market due to their affordable costs and widespread cultural acceptance. Chang’aa is a strong alcoholic drink typically produced in rural households, whereas Busaa is a traditional beer crafted from fermented corn and millet.
Muratina, a beverage favored by the Kikuyu people, is made by fermenting sugarcane or honey with the fruit from the wild sausage tree. In various regions, a single serving of Muratina can be purchased for as low as KES20, which is cheaper than bottled water or bread. Such pricing appeals to individuals with limited income and young people who cannot afford pricier alcoholic drinks.
"Although they are conscious of the possible health dangers, customers choose cheaper prices and ease over the future effects," a participant mentioned to researchers in the survey.
As per the report, the main health dangers arise from fake and illegal spirits that are frequently mixed with industrial ethanol or other harmful materials not intended for drinking. These beverages are available in city slums, country markets, and sometimes hidden in bars.
Manufacturers claim that the issue is also influenced by corruption and gaps in regulatory frameworks. "Illicit alcohol comes from tax evasion through factories colluding with officials from revenue authorities. The products are blended with legal ones," mentioned a local alcohol producer during a trade discussion. These findings indicate that some of the hazardous beverages available in the market might initially come from authorized factories before being redirected into illegal supply chains.
As per trade sources featured in the report, inadequate enforcement and corruption are also responsible. "Bribery and corruption are significant factors, especially concerning the unauthorized distribution of alcohol," they mentioned, highlighting that "the existing penalties for counterfeiting and excise duty violations are not seen as a deterrent." In simpler terms, even if law enforcement officials apprehend illegal traders, the consequences are too minor to prevent such activities, allowing them to persist.
The dangers connected to these drinks are significant. Certain individuals have experienced instances of blindness, kidney injury, and unexpected death due to illegal alcohol poisoning. As a large number of these drinks are made without following any safety regulations, the alcohol concentration may be very high or they might contain harmful substances. In areas with low income where medical care is already scarce, these consequences can ruin families, resulting in the disablement of primary earners or leading to avoidable fatalities.
A Euromonitor report indicates that artisanal brews constitute 67 percent of all illegal alcohol consumed in Kenya, with counterfeit and smuggled spirits making up the remaining portion. Although there have been occasional government efforts to control this issue, these beverages continue to be easily accessible in both rural and urban regions. In March 2024, the government revoked licenses for all alcohol producers in an attempt to address the problem, but the report states that this action had the opposite effect, increasing tax evasion and allowing unofficial distilleries to thrive.
The widespread acceptance of illegal alcohol complicates efforts to tackle the issue. In numerous communities, homemade drinks are not only affordable options but also integral to cultural and social activities. Friends come together to enjoy Busaa following their workday, and traditional events frequently feature Muratina. This cultural normalization lessens the shame connected with consuming illegal beverages, making it more challenging for public health initiatives to encourage behavioral change.
In response to the health emergency, the report suggests expanding public education initiatives, particularly via social media channels where young individuals spend significant time. These efforts should emphasize the immediate health dangers, including poisoning and prolonged organ harm, using clear and easily understandable language. Meanwhile, the government is encouraged to enforce stricter regulations on ethanol by requiring denaturing, aligning regional taxes to decrease smuggling opportunities, and enhancing border security measures.
The research also emphasizes the need for better enforcement at the county level. A significant amount of illegal alcohol is made and sold locally, where oversight is limited. Through close collaboration with county officials and community figures, authorities can break down small-scale distribution systems and inform people about the risks associated with unsafe beverages.
If more robust actions are not taken, specialists caution that illegal alcohol will keep surpassing the legal market, endangering millions of Kenyans. The study states that tackling this problem demands a mix of tighter controls, focused public education initiatives, and local enforcement efforts to safeguard people's well-being and decrease the impact of alcohol-related damage on the medical system.
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