The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has officially clarified its position regarding the recently launched National Policy for the Prevention, Management and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse (2025). The Authority stated unequivocally that "no bans on alcohol advertising, online sales, home deliveries or celebrity endorsements have been effected." This clarification follows a significant "uproar among Kenyans" that arose after the policy was unveiled by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday.
At the heart of the public debate were several controversial proposals outlined in the new document. The policy recommends raising the "minimum legal age for handling, purchasing, consuming and selling alcohol from 18 to 21 years." It also advocates for "tough restrictions on advertising," including a "ban on the use of celebrities, influencers and sports figures to promote alcoholic products," and further seeks to "prohibit alcohol branding in sports and outlaw lifestyle marketing strategies that glamorise drinking."
In a statement released on Wednesday, Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, NACADA's Chief Executive Officer, sought to correct the public's understanding of the policy's current status. He maintained that the document only "outlines recommendations that will undergo further legal and regulatory scrutiny before any enforceable measures are adopted." Dr. Omerikwa’s message was crystal clear: “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 emphasise that no bans have been introduced. These measures are currently policy recommendations, not law.”
Dr. Omerikwa went on to detail the transparent and inclusive process that will be followed before any changes can be implemented. He noted that the policy is designed to "serve as a guiding framework for future interventions." The "next step after this launch is the development of a multi-sectoral implementation framework, bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, civil society and the public." Most importantly, he stressed that "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." Any proposal requiring legal backing "will undergo a thorough law review process, which will be transparent and inclusive.”
The Authority has encouraged both the media and the public to view the new policy as a "roadmap, not an enforcement tool." Ultimately, NACADA’s primary goal remains safeguarding public health. As Dr. Omerikwa added, "NACADA’s goal, as clearly outlined in the policy, is to protect our youth from the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse, reduce related harm, and foster a healthier, more productive society.”
