The Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) has warned that alcoholic drinks will be priced higher following the proposed Sustainable Waste Management (Extended Producers Responsibility) Regulations 2024.
In a statement dated Friday, December 13, the manufacturers explained that the regulations drafted by the Ministry of Environment would drive up the cost of manufacturing.
As a result, the association detailed that they would be forced to pass down the extra charges to their customers by increasing the cost of the drinks.
The association also opined that the increase in prices would regress the government's efforts in fighting the illicit brews as some Kenyans will opt for the cheaper options.
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"While we support all efforts to promote sustainable waste management, we are afraid that the EPR regulations are more likely to impose an unnecessary and heavy financial burden on the manufacturing sector," ABAK chairperson Eric Githua stated.
"The regulations carry the risk of making businesses untenable as they would increase the cost of making goods and drive it so high that the goods would be unaffordable to make and sell to consumers."
Meanwhile, ABAK also poked holes in the government's move lamenting that the public was not involved when the regulations were being drafted.
Therefore, the association called on the government to reconsider the regulations and engage with all stakeholders before the new rules are imposed.
In the proposed rules, manufacturers will be required to pay Ksh150 per all imported packaging material in addition to an annual operating license of Ksh100,000.
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