John Mututho. | image source: the-star.co.ke |
NACADA boss John Mututho has recommended the raising of the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 starting next year.
Should that recommendation be implemented, alcohol will be sold only to persons who are 21 years of age and above.
Mututho was speaking at the Ozone Lounge at Valley Arcade in Lavington, during this year’s closure ceremony for the campaign of ‘No ID, No Sale of Alcohol’, which was carried out in 1,000 alcohol outlets across the country in the last nine months.
Ozone Lounge was the 1000th outlet where the campaign for ‘No ID, No Sale of Alcohol’ was carried out. The campaign was conducted by Responsible Alcohol Drinks Companies Association (RADCA) in collaboration with bar owners and alcohol sellers.
Mr Mututho said there was great wisdom in raising the age limit to 21 years, since persons at that age were working and more responsible unlike 18 year olds who were still wayward.
“In the USA the age limit is 21 years, and by next year we will implement this in this country. And this will be beneficial to clubs too since instead of having 10 bouncers, they will have only one bouncer because their customers are orderly and well mannered,” said Mr Mututho.
Mututho's suggestion was supported by the General Manager of Carlsberg, Nick Macharia, who said, “We fully support all efforts to encourage responsible drinking, and look forward to government speaking with all stakeholders in agreeing with the 21 years old age limit.”