Ex-NACADA chair John Mututho eyes Nakuru senatorial seat, vows to prioritize alcohol reforms

Former National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drugs Abuse (NACADA) chairman John Mututho on Monday expressed interest in making a comeback to Kenya's political scene.

The ex-Naivasha MP, famous for introducing a raft of measures that sought to tame the selling of alcohol in the country popularly known as Mututho laws, will be contesting for Nakuru County’s senatorial seat at the August polls.

“I will be running for the Nakuru Senate seat as an independent candidate. I have offered myself to contest because I believe we need renewed leadership in the Senate for Nakuru and Kenya as a whole. I want to protect the benefits of devolution,” Mututho told the Nation in an interview.

The senatorial aspirant added that the introduction of national alcohol taming regulations will top his agenda should he emerge victorious at the ballot.

 “There is a huge need to safeguard the family unit that is quickly disintegrating due to alcohol abuse. We need proper laws that will protect the family. Laws that will regulate alcohol use, ensure people drink the right quality, quantity and at the right time,” Mututho added.

He likewise stated that his administration will push to control the adoption of genetically modified foods and the incorporation of unauthorized chemicals in food production processes.

“Kenya faces doom with continued consumption of GMOs. We need to protect our people from GMOs and harmful chemicals. I will introduce a law to ban harmful chemicals used in farming on my first day in the Senate,” he said.

Mututho’s announcement will pit him against Industrialisation CAS Lawrence Karanja, veteran politician Koigi Wa Wamwere and Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja among others, who are all seeking to succeed outgoing senator Susan Kihika at the polls.