The National Authority for the Campaign against Drug Abuse (NASA) has released a report showing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Gatundu backyard leads in alcohol consumption.
“Majority of those abusing alcohol are aged between 25 and 35 followed by those aged 18-24,” reads a report by NACADA according to The Star.
The report was released on Tuesday.
It further notes that packaged alcoholic content is widely consumed followed by traditional beer and then illicit drinks like chang’aa.
“Legal or packaged alcohol is most common followed by second generation alcohol, traditional liquor and chang’aa,” read part of the report.
Chang’aa, a popular illegal brew is widely consumed in Kikuyu and Juja constituencies of Kiambu County while second generation liquor, including spirits are widely consumed in Githunguri and Gatundu North.
Substance abuse [bhang] is highest in Kiambu constituency followed by Limuru, Gatundu South, Kabete, Lari, Kiambaa, Gatundu North, Githunguri, Ruiru, Kikuyu and Thika respectively.
Cocaine is most common in Ruiru and Gatundu South.
Heroin is common in Ruiru and yet again, Gatundu South.
Hashish is common in Gatundu North and Gatundu South respectively.
Juja and Thika constituencies commonly abuse miraa [khat] while Kikuyu and Ruiru tops in abuse of sleeping pills.
Inhalants are also commonly used in Ruiru.
Lari, Limuru and Githunguri areas top in usage of tobacco products which include cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco and use of Kuber.
County Director in-charge of Alcoholic Drinks control board Michael Kangethe said the high numbers of people abusing alcohol is because residents have refused to attend sensitization meetings and also telling on those selling the illicit brews.
In areas such as Juja and Kabete; bar owners have flouted the “mututho law”.
They open their outlets in the morning instead of the prescribed 5pm and 2pm during weekends.
This new report comes barely days after NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga said he would legalize the manufacture and consumption of chang’aa.
He however, maintained that it will be controlled.
His remarks have opened a new battle with DP William Ruto and former NACADA boss John Mututho who have termed his utterances as reckless.