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{
    "id": 450355,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/450355/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 215,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wamatangi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 646,
        "legal_name": "Paul Kimani Wamatangi",
        "slug": "paul-kimani-wamatangi"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to add my voice and concern to this very important Bill that has come to the Floor of this House. I want to begin by lauding the efforts of the Senate Majority Leader for having brought this Bill to the Floor of this House at this time. As we deliberate on this Motion, it is a matter of fact that the deaths that occurred in this country recently, attributed to consumption of alcohol rate amongst the biggest tragedies to befall this country in the recent past. I believe that the amendments contained in this Bill and the intention in the overall of this Bill will go a long way in ensuring that abuse of alcohol in its sale, consumption and packaging will become a social advantage or make our society better and deal with alcoholism. Recently, there was legislation that had required packaging of alcohol to conform to certain standards that reduce the possibility of young people, especially students, to consume alcohol. Alcohol used to be packed in sachets and it was very easy for our young children to go into supermarkets buy and conceal the products in their pockets. However, as recently as two or three weeks ago, I remember going to a supermarket as I drove to central Kenya and noticing some alcohol that was still packaged by the so-called new licenced dealers. This one was packaged in the plastic packages that can be concealed easily. I propose that as we enforce that requirement, packaging in sachets should be discouraged and discontinued, even the small tiny bottles, reminiscent to some which are served by the airlines. That trend has been copied by local brewers and dealers. Somebody can go and buy the small contents of alcohol and conceal them. Students can put these in their bags, amongst books and you will not see them. The effort and intention of having discouraged packaging in sachets is still defeated if we do not deal with packaging in very small plastic bottles. My county is one of those that have had to bear the brunt of alcoholism and its effects. Recently, we buried many people because of alcoholism. I take this opportunity to send my condolences to the numerous families in Kiambu County; from Limuru, Banana, Thika and Kikuyu who lost their loved ones. Many of the victims lost their lives after consuming alcohol in the latest catastrophe that befell this country. It was very sad, to watch in one funeral, coffins paraded for as many as 11 people and most of them from the same family. 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."
}