Former Chairman of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), John Mututho, on Wednesday, July 29, made a proposal, that if adopted, coul keep bars open.
Among the proposals by the former Naivasha MP, was having bars operate from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and limiting alcohol consumption.
"What should have been done [is] bars should have been allowed to operate in well-ventilated premises with about three tables outside and open between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
"Nobody should take alcohol home because it is illegal. I would not support anything whether by NACADA or Ministry of Health because of the presence of children at home," stated Mututho.
According to Mututho people under the influence of alcohol behave differently according to sex; males become aggressive, females become receptive making social distancing a problem.
The former NACADA chairman questioned the closure of bars while permitting, wines and spirits and supermarkets to sell alcohol labelling the directive as unfair.
Mututho proposed that Kenyans should be allowed to have two beers or a quarter for hard drinks noting that the regulation would ensure the public does not get drunk and disorderly.
He called for time to be given to addicts as the move to ban operation of bars will prove costly to drunkards who will suffer from withdrawal symptoms.
The small window of two hours will also limit those who will seek to beat the restriction of two beers as they will find it hard to club hop.
The move by some policemen to raid bars and destroy property was condemned by Mututho who noted that furniture had nothing to do with the ban on bars.
On Wednesday, July 22, Mututho warned that the move by several counties to close wines and spirits, coupled with Health Ministry's directive to limit alcoholic drinks to homes, stating it could lead to the death of addicts.
Mututho argued that thousands of addicts could die, arguing that the number of fatalities could soar higher than the deaths associated with the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, July 27, banned the sale of alcoholic beverages in eateries and restaurants following a surge in Covid-19 cases.
