Alcohol/HANDOUT

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) is set to raise the legal drinking age in Kenya from 18 to 21 as part of new government measures to fight rising alcohol and drug abuse among the youth.

The change is included in the 2025 National Policy on Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse, which was approved by the Cabinet on June 24.

The policy introduces a series of reforms targeting alcohol access, marketing and distribution across the country.

“The Cabinet approved the 2025 policy to guide a coordinated and collaborative national response to the growing burden of alcohol and drug abuse,” Nacada noted.

Among the key changes is a ban on all forms of online alcohol sales, including through mobile apps and vending machines.

The government also plans to shut down the home delivery of alcohol, which has been blamed for making it easier for minors to access alcohol.

“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 said.

The policy will also introduce strict zoning regulations that prevent alcohol outlets from operating near schools, churches, or residential areas.

Celebrities will no longer be allowed to advertise or promote alcohol brands. In addition, alcohol adverts will also be prohibited during children’s TV programmes, school events, and national holidays.

“Celebrity endorsements have a big influence on young people. We are removing that pressure and glamorisation,” Nacada said.

County governments, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders will work with Nacada to implement the changes on the ground.

“This is not just a policy on paper. It is a call to action at all levels,” Nacada stated.

“We are losing too many young people, and these reforms are necessary to save lives.”

The policy also introduces strict zoning regulations, establishing alcohol-free zones around schools, places of worship, and residential areas.

Under these new rules, bars and liquor outlets will be prohibited from operating within 300 metres of such sensitive locations.

The reforms come in response to worrying figures from Nacada showing that about 13 per cent of Kenyans between the ages of 15 and 65 (roughly 4.7 million people) consume alcohol, with the highest use recorded among those aged 18 to 24.

Raising the legal drinking age to 21 would align Kenya with countries such as United States where studies have shown that delaying legal access reduce youth drinking trend.