DNK International By Reuben Olita,Busia.
Ten Busia MCAs have backed veteran journalist Kennedy Epalat’s petition seeking the legalisation, regulation and protection of traditional busaa brewing and consumption in the county.
Speaker Frederick Odilo presented the petition on behalf of more than 65 petitioners and referred it to the Culture, Sports and Social Services Committee, giving it 60 calendar days to report.
He said formal public participation was the responsibility of the relevant Assembly committees and urged the committee to benchmark with Uganda.
Chakol South MCA Denzil Musumba said, “What we want is to try to regulate and ensure focus on busaa. Go with the right brand that helps our people and is not harmful to their health.”
Malaba South MCA Bonface Ekada Mamai said legalising busaa could retain revenue in Kenya, noting, “Busaa in Uganda has been legalised… Kenya loses revenue to Uganda.”
He called for clear operating hours and regulations.
Amukura West MCA Dr Bonface Erute said busaa had supported livelihoods, adding, “Over 90 per cent of my fees was paid through proceeds from busaa. We can borrow from others.”
Nominated MCA Beatrice Akinyi Opwapo said many women brewers were single mothers dependent on the trade, asking, “Why punish busaa drinkers?”
Nominated MCA Irene Eduwa said busaa created jobs, especially for youth, while Busibwabo MCA Patrick Nyongesa urged involvement of religious leaders and the public, asking whether adequate public participation had been conducted.
Bwiri MCA Beatrice Kanoti backed regulation to curb illicit brews and create jobs.
Nangina MCA Johnstone Makabwa called for clear regulations, while Marachi East MCA Alexander Ayieko demanded licensing, sanitation standards, timelines and designated brewing and consumption areas.
Marachi Central MCA Shadrack Masinde also supported public participation and said regulated brewing could create employment.
Epalat thanked the Assembly for its reception of the petition, saying regulation could boost revenue, reduce poverty, improve security and create employment.
“I want to believe that the committee…will go to neighbouring Uganda for benchmarking and also conduct public participation,” he said, adding that the resulting framework could serve as a template for other counties seeking to regulate traditional brews such as mnazi, muratina and karobu.
[Daily News Kenya-International@September 30,2026]
