Governor defends Busaa consumption
The governor was responding to recent criticisms from Interior Principal Secretary Dr Karanja Kibicho who had faulted the existing alcohol laws in Bungoma County.
Kibicho had maintained that it was unconstitutional for the county to pass a law allowing the sale and consumption of illicit liquor.
“No county can create a law that contradicts the laws of the country,” Kibicho had said.
Passage into law
The Bungoma County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2015, was officially launched by Governor Ken Lusaka on March 3 this year, after being gazetted by the county government.
The county assembly had passed the law late last year.
A group of Kenyans drinking busaa. (Photo: Benedicte Desrus)
“We must change certain approaches when doing things.
The law is not static and busaa was legalised after due procedure through consultative forums.
Busaa has been there since time immemorial,” Lusaka argued.
Lusaka challenged the Interior PS to take time and first familiarise himself with his county.
The governor maintained that the busaa will first pass the standard specifications set out and will meet health, preservation and manufacturing standards and also be certified by the Kenya Bureau of Statistics.
