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No Alcohol Before 21: New Nacada Rules Target Teens
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has unveiled sweeping new measures aimed at curbing alcohol and substance abuse among Kenya’s youth. Chief among the reforms is a proposal to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years.
These reforms form part of the newly approved 2025 National Policy on Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse, sanctioned by the Cabinet on June 24, 2025.
Nacada said the updated policy provides a framework for a “coordinated and collaborative national response” to Kenya’s rising burden of alcohol and drug abuse.
Key Measures in the 2025 Policy:
- Legal Drinking Age Raised to 21: The move is aimed at shielding youth from early exposure to alcohol. Kenya would join countries like the United States in implementing this restriction.
- Ban on Online Alcohol Sales: Mobile apps, websites, and vending machines selling alcohol will be banned. Home delivery of alcohol will also be prohibited.
“Teenagers are ordering alcohol from their phones and getting it delivered to their homes. This must stop,” Nacada warned.
- Alcohol-Free Zones: Bars and liquor stores will not be allowed to operate within 300 metres of schools, places of worship, or residential areas.
- Ad Restrictions: Celebrities will be banned from promoting alcohol brands. Alcohol ads will be banned 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,” said Nacada.
Implementation Plan
The enforcement of the new policy will involve collaboration between county governments, law enforcement, and community leaders.
“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 crackdown comes as Nacada data reveals that approximately 13% of Kenyans aged 15–65—an estimated 4.7 million people—consume alcohol, with the highest prevalence among the 18–24 age group.
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No Alcohol Before 21: New Nacada Rules Target Teens