Leaders Warn of Rising Illicit Alcohol Crisis Fuelled by Ethanol Smuggling and Toxic Chemicals

 

Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Shollei and Kesses MP Julius Rutto have sounded the alarm over the growing circulation of illicit alcohol in the region, blaming the crisis on rampant ethanol trafficking and the misuse of dangerous agricultural chemicals. The two leaders warned that unless urgent action is taken, the threats could escalate into a major public health disaster.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming 4,000-bed Multi-Specialty Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Kiplombe, Soy Sub-County, Shollei expressed deep concern over the ease with which ethanol is entering the Kenyan market and being used to manufacture highly toxic brews. She said that huge disparities in excise duty across East African countries have created an enabling environment for smuggling cartels.

According to Shollei, Kenya charges Sh300 per litre of ethanol, compared to Sh30 in Uganda and Sh60 in Tanzania, a price gap that has fueled cross-border trafficking. She noted that the smuggled ethanol is being used to produce illicit brews with alcohol levels soaring to 60 percent, endangering thousands of lives.

“The crisis of illicit alcohol is being driven by easy access to cheap ethanol,” she said. “This is what is killing our children. Why are we allowing ethanol to be transported in jerrycans?”

Shollei urged the government to implement strict transportation standards similar to those used for fuel, insisting that ethanol should only be transported in designated tankers and under tight monitoring. She further called on the Ministries of Health and Interior to take immediate, coordinated action to curb the escalating menace.

Kesses MP Julius Rutto echoed Shollei’s sentiments, adding that the infiltration of harmful agricultural chemicals into illegal alcohol production has worsened the situation. He warned that the combination of ethanol smuggling and chemical misuse is creating toxic brews that are causing blindness, organ failure, and deaths, particularly among youth.

The leaders called for intensified crackdowns on illegal distillers, stronger border surveillance, and stricter enforcement of existing alcohol regulations. They also urged communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving illicit alcohol production or distribution.

The event, which marked a key milestone toward the expansion of MTRH into a regional medical hub, provided a platform for leaders to highlight not only healthcare advancements but also the public health threats undermining the well-being of local communities.

Shollei emphasized that Kenya cannot afford to invest in advanced medical infrastructure while ignoring the root causes of preventable health crises. “We are building a world-class hospital, but we must also protect our people from poisons sold as alcohol,” she said.

Authorities are expected to review current ethanol handling policies as calls for urgent intervention continue to grow.