A storm is brewing in Kenya over new proposals aimed at tightening alcohol regulations, including raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21.
The sweeping measures, unveiled on Wednesday, include a ban on alcohol sales in supermarkets, restaurants, and on public transport. Online sales and home delivery of alcohol, as well as celebrity endorsements, will also be prohibited.
Authorities argue that the measures are essential to curb substance abuse, particularly among the youth.
However, many Kenyans, including stakeholders in the alcohol industry, have criticized the proposals, calling them misinformed and potentially damaging to the economy.
If approved, the new regulations would limit alcohol sales to pubs, bars, and licensed shops.
The proposals, introduced by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), are viewed as one of Kenya's most aggressive anti-alcohol policies to date.
In 2022, Nacada estimated that one in every 20 Kenyans aged 15 to 65 was struggling with alcohol addiction.
After facing significant backlash, Nacada issued a statement clarifying that the policy draft was a "road map" and not an enforcement measure. The agency noted that the next step would be to develop an implementation plan in consultation with various stakeholders.
"Any proposal requiring legal backing will undergo a thorough law review process," the statement added.
However, traders and alcohol manufacturers have strongly criticized the plans, warning that their execution could lead to a crisis in the industry. They argue that the measures could cause widespread job losses and push consumers toward the illegal alcohol market.
The Alcoholic Beverage Association of Kenya (ABAK) expressed concern that Nacada drafted the policy without consulting manufacturers, calling the approach "exclusionary" and "unrealistic." While supporting the fight against alcohol abuse, ABAK lamented the lack of input from manufacturers, who they believe could have offered valuable perspectives.
Prominent lawyer Donald Kipkorir commented on X, stating that the proposed ban on alcohol sales in supermarkets, restaurants, public beaches, recreational facilities, and petrol stations would devastate Kenya's hospitality sector. "Tourism is driven by good food, alcohol (wine, beer, & spirits), and sex," he added.
Kenya has previously attempted to tackle alcohol abuse through legislation, but the issue has persisted, with numerous fatalities linked to harmful alcohol consumption. In 2023, then-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua proposed limiting alcohol availability in Kenya's central region by allowing only one pub per town. However, bar and restaurant owners objected, arguing that the government was misdirecting its efforts by targeting legitimate businesses. The plan was eventually abandoned.