The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has moved to calm people’s nerves following public outrage over its latest policy recommendations on alcohol abuse control.
While the sweeping reforms became public about two weeks ago, it was not until yesterday that the public let their feelings known, taking to various social media spaces to condemn some of the measures such as sale of alcohol in supermarkets, restaurants, online platforms and residential areas.
The new measures are contained in the 2025 National Policy on Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse, adopted by the Cabinet on June 24. As part of the reforms, the government has also set 21 years as the minimum legal age for consuming alcohol, effectively ending the 18 year legal limit.
Additionally no person under the age of 21 will be allowed to access or enter any alcohol-selling outlets, whether accompanied or unaccompanied by an appropriate adult. Home delivery of alcohol will also be outlawed, a move Nacada says targets one of the biggest avenues minors use to access alcohol.
The new policy will also implement stringent zoning rules to limit alcohol availability in sensitive areas. Under the new rules, no liquor shop or bar will be allowed within 300 meters of residential areas, churches, or schools.
The crackdown doesn’t stop there. NACADA also plans to rein in alcohol advertising. Celebrities will no longer be allowed to endorse alcohol brands, and alcohol ads will not be allowed on children’s television programs, school activities, or national holidays.
TELL ME MORE – Kenya to Raise Legal Drinking Age to 21, Ban Online Alcohol Sales and Celebrity Ads
While the reforms triggered heated debate, NACADA clarified that the measures are policy proposals and not legislation and added that any implementation will be subject to established legislative procedures.
“This is a national policy, and contrary to reports suggesting that NACADA has banned certain practices such as alcohol advertising, online sales, home deliveries, and celebrity endorsements, we wish to emphasize that no bans have been introduced.
“These measures are currently policy recommendations, not law. Their inclusion aims to initiate legal and regulatory reviews, subject to proper procedures,” stated NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa.
What Comes Next
The Authority outlined the next steps that will include public participation before the proposals become bidig law.
“The next step after this launch is developing a multi-sectoral implementation framework, bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, civil society, and the public. This process will set out a phased plan for potential implementation, pending a thorough review process, which will be transparent and inclusive,” NACADA explained.
Omerikwa asked the media and the public to treat the document as a strategic policy roadmap, not an enforcement directive.
“Any proposal that requires legal backing will undergo a thorough law review process, which will be transparent and inclusive.
“Most importantly, public participation will be central to this process, enabling citizens, businesses, and interest groups to share their views and address any contentious issues before implementation,” the authority stated.
Nacada revealed that the new plan is intended to steer a coordinated and organized national response to addressing the growing substance abuse problem.
“We urge the media and the public to treat this policy as what it is, a wellness and an enforcement measure. NACADA’s goal, as clearly outlined in the policy, is to protect our youth from the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse, making them a healthier, more productive society,” the Authority added.
The post No Ban Yet: NACADA Calms Kenyans Over Viral Alcohol Control Proposals appeared first on Bossnana.
