Tag Archives: drinking

THE ALCOHOL BILL | The pros’ and cons’

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The alcohol bill better known as the Mututho law, is the bill that was passed by parliament a few months ago. The private member’s bill was nicknamed ‘Mututho law’ after the Member of parliament who came up with the bill. The law states that drinking hours on weekdays are between 5-11pm and no selling of alcohol before 2pm on weekends. The law also prohibits establishments selling alcohol from being located 300 meters within the schools. The law is aimed at controlling the consumption of alcohol.

Bases on the fact that a flamboyant portion of the country’s revenue comes from alcoholic drinks; it is questionable if the law is doing more good than harm. First, in terms of the economy, there is less productivity among employees. They are either distracted because of going through the day without their favorite drink, or they have to leave the work premises early in order to hit the bar at the drinking hours. There is also loss of jobs and revenue especially due to the regulation on the location of drinking joints near academic institutions. Many bars have had to close down temporarily or permanently because of this.

Let us not forget that most of the drinkers are moderate drinkers. Although, looking at the bright side, the good news is that there will be reduced alcohol-related problems and alcohol related problems among the youth; this is according to the anti-alcohol campaigners. All in all it is up to an individual. The law cannot conquer irresponsible drinking. Even with the law in place people still over-engage in alcohol. It should be uplifted for the sake of the economy.

References:
A counter to Mututho Law
Misery in Kenya as Mututho law bites
‘Mututho’ Law cannot deal with alcohol abuse

EDUCATION | Call for responsibility among Kenyan University students

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Since time immemorial, the youth have been excited about joining university, a phase in their lives where they are free from rules, parents and any other obstacles between them and freedom. Once in university, due to peer pressure, they get enthralled by clubbing, irresponsible drinking and other activities that may derail them from their goals. Following the death of three students this year, university scholars should critically analyze these happenings. They should ask themselves ‘is it worth the risk?’ therefore they are urged to be more responsible and be more careful when it comes to the choice of company. They should realize that at the end of the day it is their lives they are shaping. If it is a must to engage in these activities, then they should go with trustworthy individuals.

Ruth Wairimu Ng’anga lost her life after a night of drinking in the company of two male friends. She was found dead in a lodging in Ngara. The journalism student of Smart Media college had been warned against associating with strange people, as the director of the school stated. This was a few weeks after another journalism student of Nairobi university Mercy keino died after she had accompanied a cousin to a party in Westlands, Nairobi.she alledgedly stormed out of the apartments after an altercation with an MP at the party. Dennis Omondi Adari also lost his life in hospital after 6 days of treatment after he was battered by a the guard of ‘PSYS’ in westlands. He and his friends had been partying all around Nairobi when they decided to call it at the night at the club. They had been denied entry when he decided to go through the window. It is said that the boy was drunk.

They all did not have to die. Kenyan universities should offer guidance and counseling services to these youth. They should also be sensitized on the importance of maintaining morally upright peers. They should be taking charge of their lives because the ball is in their hands. Parents should also step up and advise their children on how to carry themselves while away from home. They should not leave this to teachers. The scholars should learn from those unfortunate happenings to be more responsible.

References:

Death at the rave

If varsity students are immoral, blame society

Student, 25, killed in Nairobi lodging