Stakeholders raise alarm as alcohol accounts for over 14, 600 deaths annually

By Khery Apondi 

Stakeholders involved in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse have raised alarm over the number of people who die in Kenya annually, as a result of alcohol consumption. 

According to the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (ILA), alcohol causes over 14,643 deaths in Kenya annually, besides accounting for 40.7% of Disability-Adjusted Life-Years (DALYs).

The Country is also struggling with the darkening realities of increased cases of domestic violence, alarming suicide cases, disheartening road accidents, unacceptable femicide cases, child abuse cases, and preventable deaths, all linked to alcohol consumption.

Addressing the press on the sidelines of a Student Campaign Against Drugs forum in Kisumu on Monday, Celine Awuor, ILA Chief Executive Officer called for the ring fencing of alcohol taxes to promote health, conduct health research, and raise community awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption in Kenya.

She urged parents to up their game in parenthood, especially at this time when children are at home for the long December holiday, in a bid to prevent them from indulging in alcohol and drug abuse.

“This is an opportune moment for all stakeholders to come in and really accelerate the interventions that we do from our own perspectives. This is a very good time to run public campaigns on issues of alcohol,” she stated.

“It is important that parents take this opportunity to be actively involved in their parenting skills and also provide that safe environment for the children while they are at home.”

Recovering addict Boniface Ndirangu. Photo/Blue Cross Kenya

The forum was attended by various sector players, among them recovering alcoholics, like Boniface Ndirangu who lost his job 24 years ago while working for Unilever in Kisumu, as a result of his ‘love for the bottle,’ then.

“There are very few people who can tell you that I chose to be an alcoholic,” said Ndirangu.

“I was about 29 years old, working for Unilever when I lost my job because of just drinking. I lost my job in 2000.”

Allan Mwangi, another recovering person said it is almost a year since he last tested alcohol. His daily drinking delayed him from finishing his university education.   

Ndirangu and Mwangi said there’s hope for those who want to change, adding that “It is possible that any addict can choose to leave a sober life and become a productive member of the society.”