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{
    "id": 450158,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/450158/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 18,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 440,
        "legal_name": "Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen",
        "slug": "kipchumba-murkomen"
    },
    "content": "(Sen. (Prof.) Kindiki): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that The Alcoholic Drinks Control (Amendment) Bill be read a Second Time. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Bill is meant to strengthen the legal arrangements that exist with regard to the control, licensing and operations of people who sell liquor and those who consume it. The major motivation of the introduction of this Bill is twofold: First, the fact that the issue of licensing of liquor now under the new Constitution is a function that falls within the powers of County Governments in accordance to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution. That notwithstanding, certain issues will still remain at the national Government and it continues to retain its own agency – the National Campaign Against Drugs and Alcohol (NACADA) which deals with drug abuse and so on. The issue of licensing of liquor particularly remains a function of County Governments. The issue of control mainly and broadly speaking from a policy perspective remains a matter that is within the national Government. If you look at the Fourth Schedule, what is going to the county governments is licensing of liquor. Therefore, this Bill wants to strengthen devolution by recognizing that counties have functions that have to do with control of alcohol and liquor and at the same time giving counties abroad legislative framework through which to operate and subject in accordance with the Constitution to county specific liquor laws which have already been passed and others are in the process of being passed. Secondly, this Bill has brought in a number of proposed amendments to the existing national legislation on the subject matter but based on the experience so far with regard to control of alcoholic drinks, there is need, therefore, to bring that experience to bear into the legislative framework to protect the public and also protect those who sell liquor as a business; to protect them so that they can be legitimately provided for under the law to do their business. On the other hand, to make sure that unscrupulous people do not brew chemicals that cause death to the public because, again, any business that one conducts must be the one that helps that person to recoup their investments while guaranteeing certain general public safety and public order ideals such as public health. These are the two underlying motivations upon which this Bill has been brought. Since this Bill will go to experts after it has been moved and seconded, perhaps the Committee will to enrich it, make it better and ensure that everyone is carried on board; those who trade in liquor, those who consume it, the separation and respect for the functions of national governments vis-à-vis those of county governments. All these balances must be brought to bear and I hope that as this Bill comes before this House, both in the Plenary and at the Committee Stage, it can only be made richer and better. Time will not allow me to discuss each and every clause because it is The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}