The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has proposed raising Kenya’s legal drinking age from 18 to 21, a move aimed at curbing youth alcoholism, as outlined in the 2025 National Policy on Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse.
Announced via a Cabinet dispatch on June 24, the policy also includes a ban on online alcohol sales, home deliveries, and the establishment of alcohol-free zones within 300 metres of schools, churches, and residential areas.
The sweeping reforms, designed to address the growing crisis of alcohol abuse among Kenyan youth, have ignited a heated debate, with supporters praising the measures and critics warning of economic impacts and enforcement challenges.
NACADA’s data reveals a troubling trend: approximately 4.7 million Kenyans aged 15 to 65, or 13% of the population, consume alcohol, with the highest prevalence among those aged 18 to 24.
Alarmingly, nearly one in ten high school students has consumed alcohol, and the average age of first exposure continues to drop, with some children as young as six encountering alcohol in their communities.
The proposed legal drinking age increase to 21 aligns Kenya with countries like the United States, where studies show delaying legal access reduces youth drinking and related harms, such as addiction, gender-based violence, and poor academic performance.
NACADA’s CEO, Anthony Omerikwa, emphasised, “These measures aim to protect our youth and create safer environments around schools and places of worship.” The policy also targets aggressive alcohol marketing, a significant driver of underage drinking.
NACADA reports that one in four teenagers first tried alcohol after exposure to celebrity endorsements or online advertisements.
To counter this, the reforms propose banning alcohol ads on social media, billboards, and during children’s TV programmes, alongside mandating health warnings in English and Kiswahili on alcohol packaging.
Additionally, the ban on online alcohol sales and home deliveries aims to limit easy access, particularly for minors, with NACADA collaborating with the Communications Authority of Kenya and the DCI’s Cybercrime Unit to monitor illegal online sellers.
Locals reflect public sentiment, with one user stating, “Raising the drinking age to 21 and banning online sales could save our youth, but enforcement is key.”
Critics, including industry stakeholders like the Pubs Entertainment and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK), argue that the policies could harm businesses and job creation.
Sam Ikwaye, PERAK’s executive officer, called the measures a “non-tariff barrier to trade”, suggesting that sensitisation programmes in schools would be more effective than restrictive laws.
Keroche Industries’ managing director, Tabitha Karanja, supports legislation benefiting the industry but stressed the need for stakeholder consultation, noting her company was not involved in the policy’s draughting.
Enforcement remains a concern, as past crackdowns on illicit brews have faltered due to bribery and weak oversight. NACADA plans to address this by establishing Alcohol and Drug Control Committees in each county, supported by dedicated budgets for monitoring and public education.
The policy introduces a Solatium Compensation Fund, financed through levies on alcohol sellers, to support treatment and rehabilitation for addicts, integrated into the Social Health Authority (SHA). With treatment costs ranging from Ksh120,000 to Ksh500,000 for a 90-day program, the fund aims to make recovery accessible.
NACADA’s collaboration with youth influencers to promote healthier lifestyles and counter alcohol glamorisation is another proactive step. However, social media reactions highlight doubt, with one local saying, “Raising the drinking age sounds good, but will it stop kids from getting chang’aa by the river?”
The debate underscores broader societal challenges, including binge drinking among youth and the proliferation of unregulated bars. Central Kenya, in particular, faces an “alcohol epidemic”, with illegal brews sold along riverbanks complicating enforcement efforts.
While supporters argue that alcohol-free zones and stricter advertising rules will protect vulnerable communities, others question the feasibility of policing online sales and enforcing the new age limit.
