This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
Published on April 20, 2020, the government of Kenya has started distributing food to the poor, but questions remain over the inclusion of trading in alcohol and tobacco products among businesses that can continue to operate past curfew hours or beyond restricted travel areas.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have warned that the inclusion of these products may prove disastrous, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis period.
Terming tobacco and alcohol as deadly, the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA), Kenya Tobacco Control Alliance (Ketca), and Alcohol Control Policy Network (ACPN) want the government to withdraw the two products from the list.
The NGOs argue that alcohol and tobacco are the weakest link in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are saddened that the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development has chosen to enlist alcohol and tobacco as part of essential products,” the NGOs stated in their latest joint protest letter to the ministry.
The list of essential food and beverages includes cereals, sugar, wheat products, dairy products, processed foods, meat and meat products, fish and edible oils, salt and cooking spices, fruits, vegetables and nuts, water, juices and non or carbonated drinks/diluting drinks, tea, coffee, and tobacco and alcohol beverages.
However, the Industrialisation ministry noted that the coming up of the essential products and services was informed by the Business Emergency Response Committee (BERC) and a technical committee of experts.
According to the ministry, the committee identified the manufacturers, producers, and suppliers of the listed products as essential to sustenance of lives and efforts must be taken to keep them operational throughout the crisis period.
While outlining the measures to limit the movement of people in the country to and from the most affected counties, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced special consideration to allow the free movement of the essential products and services.
