A section of church leaders in Bungoma has expressed opposition to calls for the legalization of a traditional brew commonly known as Busaa in the county.
Led by Lifetime Faith Ministries leader Bishop Cleophas Matete, the church leaders have warned that should Busaa be legalized, it will negatively impact the county’s progress.
According to Bishop Matete who is also the Bungoma Pastors Fellowship chairman, the county stands to get nothing from the traditional brew, once legalized.
“Governor, don’t try to legalize Busaa. You are a God-fearing leader and such a move will take the county back to poverty. When people get drunk, it’s like they are half insane, they cannot do anything,” said the Kimilili-based church leader.
He was responding to calls that Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka made a few weeks ago, on the legalization of the brew.
Bill already passed
Lusaka, speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Amutala stadium in Kimilili revealed that the Bungoma County Assembly had already passed a bill legalizing Busaa.
“We passed that bill when I served as the governor. What is remaining is regulation. We need to speed it up so that it is implemented,” the county boss said.
Kabuchai Member of Parliament Majimbo Kalasinga also echoed calls for the brew’s legalization.
Kalasinga who spoke at the same event noted that the move would help the county enhance its local revenue.
“We want our county assembly to look into this bill so that will ensure that we get some little money from our busaa brewers,” the legislator said.
The Bungoma County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill was drafted in 2014. It seeks to among others legalise busaa brewing and consumption in the area.
When the bill was tabled to the county assembly, Governor Lusaka, at the time of his first term, said it would see residents take their favourite drinks in a hygienic environment.
Busaa is a popular traditional drink amongst members of the Luhya community. It is a fermented beer typically made from the most abundant source of grains commonly maize, millet or sorghum.
