Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has announced that any Kenyan who thinks alcohol is expensive should shift to a healthier drink like milk.

This statement comes after the trade cs termed any alcoholic drink or wine that is 250 ml and is sold for anything less than ksh 250 as an illicit brew.

"If you find any wines and spirits [where] 250 ml is being sold for less than Ksh.250, it is illicit," he said.

PHOTO | COURTESY Moses Kuria

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"We have done the math with KRA and we know the core structure so anyone selling liquor below Ksh.250 should be treated as a suspect with immediate effect."

CS Kuria indicated during a multi-agency meeting on Monday at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County that the decision will assist regulate the nation's rising alcohol consumption and reduce the creation of counterfeit drinks.

According to NACADA data, the Western area of Kenya has the highest rate of alcoholism in the country, at 23.8%, followed by the Coastal region at 13.9%, and Central at 12.8%.

PHOTO | COURTESY officers destroying illicit brew

Regarding alcohol consumption, the Western area has the highest rates of chang'aa and traditional brew consumption. In contrast, the Central region has the highest rate of potable spirits consumption (4.1%), followed by the Coast (3.2%) and the Rift Valley (3.1%).

The Central area has the highest rate of current tobacco use at 11.9%, followed by the Coast (10.8%) and Eastern (10.7%).