ALCOHOL CONTROL POLICY AND REGULATION OF UNDERAGE DRINKING, A CASE STUDY OF NYANDARUA COUNTY, KENYA
Peter Mundia Kamau - Student, Department of Public Policy And Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Wilson Muna (PhD) - Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Despite county governments having the ultimate authority in regulating the alcohol trade and enacting new laws, alcohol remains a significant issue in Kenya. This study aims to explore how the implementation of alcohol control policies impacts underage drinking in Nyandarua County. The objectives include examining the effects of licensing regulations, and enforcement regulations on underage drinking in the county. The findings of this study will benefit the alcohol regulation board in Nyandarua County and the government of Kenya by providing valuable insights into alcohol trade regulation especially against underage drinking. The study was premised on two theories namely New Public Management and Social Exchange theories all relating to the three proxy independent variables. The research employed a descriptive research design focusing on Kinangop sub-county as the target population which has the highest number of liquor premises in Nyandarua County at 427 according to data from the department of social services. A representative sample population of 120 respondents was selected using a blend of simple random sampling on bar attendants as per Taros formula (1967) and purposeful sampling targeting government officials. Data was collected through validated semi structured questionnaires and interview guides, with both quantitative and qualitative data analyzed using descriptive statistics, content/thematic analysis and SPSS. The data has been presented using central tendency measures, measures of dispersion and bar charts. The research revealed that there somewhat enforcement of licensing requirement in the area. The study observed that there is adherence of 300m rule for liquor business from school, the branding of alcoholic drinking is checked, there is also revocation and denial of licenses for business violating licensing requirements and lastly, there is audits and compliance checks in the region. However, the study observed that there is huge gap in stakeholder’s engagement in licensing and enforcement processes. The study observed that majority of the respondents recognize corruption as major factor which is hindering the effectiveness of licensing and enforcement polices in Nyandarua County. The fight against corruption should be intensified in order to ensure effectiveness of the policies while stringent penalties should be adopted for any non-compliance with regulation and lastly, the government should greatly engage various stakeholders such as parent, community and religious leader in order to collectively address this issue of underage drinking in Nyandarua County.