Kenyans who love their tipple are in for a rude shock after the State moved to ban sale of alcohol in supermarkets, restaurants, online platforms and residential areas.
In a new notice, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) says it will also ban delivery of liquor to people's home by vendors, a popular option for urban residents.
The rules are contained in a new policy launched in Nairobi Wednesday at an event graced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Vending machines Public beaches, public parks, amusement parks, recreational facilities, medical facilities, sports facilities, bus parks, bus stops, petrol stations, railway stations, public transport including trains, ferry stations, piers, and along the highways Hawking Online sale of alcohol Home deliveries and couriers Supermarkets Outlets selling products associated with children, such as toy shops Residential premises and areas Restaurants Basic education, tertiary, and higher learning institutions
In the above places, drinking alcohol is also banned, the notice says.
Age limit change, Influencer ban
In a move that will also affect online personalities, social media influencers and celebrities have been prohibited from endorsing, promoting or advertising alcohol, drugs and substances. The new policy also prohibits entertainment, sports and media personalities from the same.
"There shall be no use of entertainment, sports personalities, media personalities and models, social media influencers, or celebrities in endorsing, promoting and advertising alcoholic drinks, drugs and substances," Nacada says.
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.
Further, alcohol-related businesses have been prohibited from naming and branding sports teams after an alcoholic drink’s product. In a move that will likely hit the sports sector, the new policy also bans companies from sponsoring, branding a sports league, tournament or a national team.
Photo credit: shutterstock
The new rules are contained in the national policy for the prevention, management and control of alcohol, drugs and substance abuse, which is dated July 2025.
"This policy is the culmination of an extensive, inclusive, and collaborative effort involving diverse stakeholders across Kenya—from national and county governments to civil society, faith-based groups, the private sector, and the general public. Together, we have forged a unified approach to prevent, mitigate, and control the devastating impact of alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse in our nation," CS Murkomen says in the foreword of the document.
"To maximise impact, Nacada will mobilise and align stakeholders in designing, executing, and monitoring interventions aimed at reducing substance abuse and its devastating effects," Interior PS Raymond Omollo says in the document's preface.
Update: Hours after the event that launched the national policy document, Nacada has issued a statement walking back the regulations, saying what it shared were policy recommendations.
