By: Kiragu Wachira Policy & Legal Consultant- NACADAA

1. Alcoholic Drinks Industry Influencing the Political Agenda; the Case of KenyaPresentation at Training Session on Evidence-Based Alcohol Policies- Malawi National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority (NACADAA) By: Kiragu Wachira Policy & Legal Consultant- NACADAA

2. Background • Drug and substance abuse disorders including alcoholism is a major public health concern. • Alcohol abuse negatively impacts on health, security, academic performance, socio-economic indicators and cultural welfare. • WHO estimates that 140 million people worldwide suffer from alcohol dependence. • Alcohol is widely used in Kenya-about 61% of population (NACADAA 2007). NACADAA, Nov 2008

3. Justification for Policy • Need to identify and promote complementary interests of public health, alcoholic beverage industry, government revenue source and individual wellbeing. • Need to harmonize economic development with sound health, safety and hygiene for Kenyans. • Need to balance the benefits connected with production, sale and consumption of alcohol against individual and societal costs associated with its misuse. NACADAA, Nov 2008

4. Alcohol Policy meant to: • Provide framework for addressing alcohol production, distribution, marketing and consumption • Restrict availability and access to alcohol products by children and youth • Reduce alcohol-related risk behaviours e.g. binge drinking and drink-driving among others • Regulate alcohol consumption contexts and settings • Ensure alcoholic products safety. NACADAA, Nov 2008

5. Kenyan Experience The Alcohol Policy is based on following broad principles: • Pursuit of a participatory, multi-sectoral and balanced approach • Targeted vulnerable groups especially the youth • Used evidence based interventions • Integrated harm reduction measures. NACADAA, Nov 2008

6. Stakeholders Consultative Meetings Process was undertaken through consultative meetings with stakeholders who included: • Government departments in charge of health, administration, standards, youth and children affairs and education among others • Alcohol and hospitality industries • Non-state actors involved in drug and substance abuse management • Individual professionals, academicians and experts. NACADAA, Nov 2008

7. Policy Development Workshops Three main policy development workshops were held: • To identify core policy issues, strategies and suitable interventions • For stakeholders to share their experiences and proposals • For consensus building and harmonization of issues and divergent views/positions • For drafting and dissemination of policy document. NACADAA, Nov 2008

8. Ministerial level consultations Critical consultations for input and feedback held with: • Relevant Minister(s)/Permanent Secretaries • Senior professionals and experts working in the public sector. NACADAA, Nov 2008

9. Challenges during Policy devt • Consensus building due to strong positions held by industry and other stakeholders • Strong lobbying by industry among stakeholders and policy-makers • Identifying the core policy issues and critical interventions acceptable among various stakeholders • Societal perspective and culture permissive of alcohol consumption • Limited funding for the process. NACADAA, Nov 2008

10. Industry’s influence on policy process The alcohol drinks industry has influenced the policy process through: • Strategic funding through Corporate Social Responsibility to community initiatives in a bid to portray the industry’s critical contribution to social development. Examples – schools facility and education bursary programmes, sporting activities, hospital facilities and environmental programmes. • Lobbying with policy-makers and legislators. • Recruitment of prominent personalities to champion cause at legislative and policy-making levels. NACADAA, Nov 2008

11. Industry’s influence on policy Cont’d • Publicising their corporate tax remittance to national revenue base in a bid to demonstrate their contribution to economic development thereby influencing policy-making process • Aggressive marketing (including media) to influence and shape public opinion thereby creating positive attitude from the public. • Financial support to strategic government initiatives in the name of public-private partnerships NACADAA, Nov 2008

12. Industry’s influence on policy Cont’d • Recruiting local and international consultants who are fronted to government officials as “neutral resource persons” and alcohol policy development experts to advocate for their interests • Having a bigger stake in the private sector business associations which influence government policy on alcoholic beverages business/trade • Sponsoring local civil society organizations which seek to work with government in support of industry’s interests NACADAA, Nov 2008

13. Industry’s influence on policy Cont’d • Offering to sponsor alcohol policy development workshops • Through strategically sending their senior staff and strategists to the alcohol policy development workshops to influence the outcome • Seeking partnerships with government in the underage drinking prevention programmes • Making hidden/subtle changes in the policy drafts during the document sharing and exchange process NACADAA, Nov 2008

14. Industry’s influence on policy Cont’d • Extensive campaign against the use of alcohol blow (device for checking level of intoxication) for drivers • The industry tracking everything the government is doing in alcohol policy development NACADAA, Nov 2008

15. Response to the Industry’s influence in policy process In response to the influence of the industry to the policy process, the following are some of the mitigating measures: • Holding briefing meetings with the minister and senior government officials in the ministry • Shaping public opinion through awareness campaign (media & meetings) on the negative impact of alcohol abuse • Building strong alliance of stakeholders supporting fight against alcohol abuse NACADAA, Nov 2008

16. Response to the Industry’s influence in policy process cont • Building strong partnership and networking with public sector officials and policy makers who are allies in the campaign • Involving the industry through soliciting their views on alcohol policy but ensuring that subjective and sectoral interests do not override overall societal benefit (this disarms the industry) • Engaging with professionals and experts in alcohol policy development to respond to the industry’s proposals NACADAA, Nov 2008

17. Response to the Industry’s influence in policy process cont • Selecting policy drafting team that is independent of the industry’s influence NACADAA, Nov 2008

18. Conclusion • Although the alcoholic drinks industry is very strategic and proactive in influencing the policy process, there is hope that governments are able to make comprehensive alcohol policies that are balanced and progressive. • Alcohol abuse is destroying the very fabric of our society and its imperative for the governments to be proactive in developing and implementing comprehensive policies NACADAA, Nov 2008

19. END THANK YOU NACADAA, Nov 2008