The High Court has declared that the popular Kikuyu brew known as muratina is not an illicit drink. The judge said the use of muratina as part of the Agikuyu culture was not prohibited by any law because the Alcoholic Beverages Control Act 2010 only regulates alcoholic beverages, including traditional alcoholic beverages. They said they were duly authorised by the Kikuyu cultural elders (Kiama Kia Ma) to prepare muratina for traditional ceremonies and not for commercial purposes. They said the classification of muratina as illegal suppresses traditional Kikuyu celebrations and discriminates against Kikuyu culture. He said no traditional Kikuyu ceremony can be performed without muratina as such cannot be regulated under the Alcoholic Beverages Control Act.
