Kenya has unveiled a new national policy aimed at tackling alcohol and drug abuse, with proposals that have caught public attention but no official bans have been enforced yet.
The policy, launched by Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol a
nd Drug Abuse (NACADA), recommends raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 and placing tight restrictions on where and how alcohol can be sold.
If the proposals are passed into law, alcohol sales would be banned in:
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants and petrol stations
- Residential areas and online platforms
- Public places like parks, beaches and toy shops
- Via vending machines, home delivery, or hawking
The new policy also seeks to ban the use of celebrities, social media influencers, athletes and musicians in alcohol adverts. Promotions like free samples, discounts, and drink offers would no longer be allowed.
But NACADA has since clarified that these are just proposals for now, they are not law. The policy is meant to guide future legal reforms and the next step will involve public consultation, legal review and possible changes to Kenya’s Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (commonly known as the “Mututho Law”).
The move comes amid growing concern in Kenya over rising alcohol and drug abuse, especially among young people. NACADA says the country is seeing more underage drinking, cannabis use and addiction, and urgent action is needed to protect public health.
The policy also calls for:
- Strict packaging rules for alcohol, including a minimum size of 250ml and clearer health warnings
- Tougher drunk driving penalties, such as mandatory breath testing and counselling for offenders
- A ban on alcohol marketing near schools, hospitals and residential zones
If passed, Kenya would become the first country in the region to adopt such broad restrictions on alcohol sales and marketing, a move likely to impact not just nightlife and retail, but also sports and entertainment sponsorships.
The proposals are not yet being enforced but NACADA says they want Kenyans to see the policy as a guideline, not a ban. Legal changes will only come after public input is collected.
