• This cost-of-living conversation is getting confusing. As the government, we will now propose to spread the effects across the board. Consumable alcohol is the next logical source of revenue generation. We can increase collection to half a trillion from the current 3Sh0 billion, by tripling the price of a bottle of beer, whisky and wine -MP KAGOMBE, GATUNDU SOUTH.

Gatundu South legislator, Gabriel Kagombe, has suggested a 300% tax increase on alcohol, terming it as a way of curbing the threat that has become rampant in the country.

The suggestion comes amid huddles facing Kenyans due to the doubling of the tax on petroleum products, from 8% to 16%, which is expected to have a ripple effect on East Africa's economic hub, with the prices of goods and services expected to increase.

The Member of Parliament has expressed concerns that the tax and price of the alcoholic products being luxurious should be raised instead of the food and commodities that are essential for survival.

Through his Facebook page on Thursday 21st September, 2023, he hinted on the plans to increase the price of the alcoholic commodities through a tax increase proposal.

“This cost-of-living conversation is getting confusing. As the government, we will now propose to spread the effects across the board. Consumable alcohol is the next logical source of revenue generation. We can increase collection to half a trillion from the current Kshs.30 Billion, by tripling the price of a bottle of beer, whisky and wine,” the MP posted.

He added on the suggestion to incorporate the proposal into the Finance Bill 2023 that was passed two months ago.

Alcohol and cigarettes were among the commodities spared from tax increases in the Finance Bill while being exempted from excise duty adjustments.

MP Kagombe’s remarks presents tax increase and price hike as the remedy to the increased alcohol consumption in the country.

In 2018, World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with international partners, launched the SAFER initiative that presented five most cost-effective interventions to reduce alcohol related harm.

The SAFER ingenuity proposed raising prices on alcohol through excise taxes and pricing policies among the most effective and cost-effective alcohol control measures. This is a proven measure to reduce harmful use of alcohol providing governments revenue to offset the economic costs of harmful use of alcohol.

Overtaxing of alcohol proves to have benefits such as improving public health, earning revenue and redressing the external costs of alcohol use – including the costs to society, the economy and health systems – as well as the cost of harm caused by alcohol to persons other than alcohol users.