The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has announced a series of sweeping reforms aimed at combating the rising tide of alcohol and drug abuse among young people in Kenya. Chief among the changes is a proposal to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21.
This move is part of the newly approved 2025 National Policy on Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse, which was greenlit by the Cabinet on June 24. The policy is designed to provide a coordinated national response to substance abuse and aims to protect vulnerable populations, particularly the youth.
According to Nacada, the decision to increase the drinking age stems from growing concerns about teenagers accessing alcohol through loopholes in distribution and advertising. The agency cited statistics indicating that 13% of Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 approximately 4.7 million people consume alcohol, with the highest prevalence among the 18 to 24 age group.
“The online space has become a loophole. Teenagers are ordering alcohol from their phones and getting it delivered to their homes. This must stop,” Nacada stated.
To address this, the policy introduces a nationwide ban on online alcohol sales, including through mobile apps and vending machines. Home deliveries of alcohol will also be outlawed.
In a bid to make alcohol less accessible, the policy will enforce zoning regulations that prohibit liquor outlets from operating within 300 metres of schools, churches, and residential areas. It also establishes alcohol-free zones around these sensitive areas.
Marketing restrictions are another key feature of the reforms. Celebrities will no longer be allowed to promote alcohol brands, and advertising will be banned during children’s TV programming, school events, and national holidays.
“Celebrity endorsements have a big influence on young people. We are removing that pressure and glamorisation,” Nacada emphasized.
Nacada will work closely with county governments, law enforcement, and community leaders to ensure the policy is effectively enforced. The agency maintains that these measures are vital to saving lives and safeguarding the country’s future generations.
By raising the legal drinking age, Kenya joins countries like the United States where delaying access to alcohol has led to reduced youth consumption.
