Influence of Devolution Framework on alcoholic drinks Regulation in Kenya: a case of Lari Sub-County

Abstract

Alcoholic drinks misuse contributes to myriad of individual and societal problems: crime, poor health, social-economic challenges just to mention a few. The study sought to answer a question of influence of devolution framework on alcoholic drinks regulation in Kenya (A case of Lari Sub-County). Specifically, influence of public participation on regulation of alcoholic drinks in Lari Sub-County, influence of transparency and accountability on regulation of alcoholic drinks in Lari Sub-County and, influence of civic education on regulation of alcoholic drinks in Lari Sub-County. Researcher adopted descriptive survey research design; he combined random stratified sampling with multistage cluster sampling methods in the study. The researcher administered a uniform questionnaire to all the respondents to collect required data. The following are the major findings of the study: public participation had less influence on regulation of alcoholic drinks due to low public participation in Lari Sub-County. Transparency and accountability had less influence on regulation of alcoholic drinks due to low transparency and accountability of devolved government of Kiambu. Civic education had less influence on alcoholic drinks regulation due to low civic education conducted by devolved government of Kiambu. Major recommendations of the study were Devolved government should promote public participation on regulation of alcoholic drinks within the county by establishing a directorate of public participation to guide and coordinate public participation activities. Devolved government should address the challenges of transparency and accountability in alcoholic drinks regulation by institutionalizing strict financial control measures. Devolved government of should intensify civic education to enhance awareness on dangers of alcoholic drinks misuse. Further recommendation is need for future studies to embrace other research methods like qualitative methods and incorporate other factors that might have an influence on the regulation of alcoholic drinks in Kenya such as complexity of devolved government enforcement of alcoholic drinks laws and policies, as autonomous units through cooperation with the national government.