Causes of Excessive Consumption of Alcohol in Peri-Urban Kenya: Accounts from Uasin Gishu County

Despite the high social, public health, and economic risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption, there is consistent evidence of the increasing prevalence of excessive alcohol consumption especially in peri-urban settings in Kenya. This paper explores some of the causes of this social behavior using evidence from accounts given by 367 alcohol consumers in peri-urban settings of Uasin Gishu County, which mirrored experiences in other counties in Kenya. The study was informed by the Family Systems Theory. The paper focuses on the causes of alcohol consumption in Peri-Urban settings. Using a descriptive research design, data was collected by an interview schedule for descriptive data and in-depth interviews for qualitative data. Participants who were alcohol consumers, but also household heads were the main units of analysis. Cumulatively, it was found that 83% of the participants were excessive drinkers, with 25% taking beyond the prescribed excessive drinking mark. These were caused by individual/personal reasons (74%), family issues (82%), and community-related factors (94%). The availability of cheap, potent, but not safe for human consumption commercial drinks (94%) was another fertile ground for excessive alcohol consumption. The study recommends that the County and National governments implement strategies to enhance the living conditions of the peri-urban population. Further, governments to strictly enforce the Alcohol Drinks Controls and regulations.