Kenya to raise legal drinking age to 21, ban online alcohol sales in major policy overhaul

To curb rising alcohol and drug abuse among youth, the Kenyan government plans to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 and ban online alcohol sales, as part of sweeping reforms outlined in the 2025 National Policy on Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse.

The reforms also include strict zoning regulations, a ban on home alcohol deliveries, and the prohibition of celebrity endorsements, all aimed at reversing a growing public health crisis.

Approved by the Cabinet on June 24, the policy formally tasks the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) with leading enforcement efforts, in collaboration with county governments, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders.

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

One of the key proposals in the new policy is the outlawing of all forms of digital alcohol trade, including online sales, vending machines, and home deliveries. This move aims to close digital loopholes that allow minors to access alcohol through mobile apps and courier services.

Strict zoning regulations

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. If fully enforced, the measure could lead to the relocation or closure of dozens of bars across the country.

These reforms come amid alarming data from Nacada, which indicates that nearly 13 per cent of Kenyans aged 15 to 65—approximately 4.7 million people—consume alcohol. The highest prevalence is among youth aged 18 to 24.

In schools, at least one in every 10 high school students admits to drinking alcohol, with the average age of first consumption dropping sharply.

Even more concerning, Nacada has flagged a growing trend of children as young as six to nine being exposed to alcohol in their homes and neighbourhoods.

Curb early exposure

Raising the legal drinking age to 21 is part of a broader strategy to curb early exposure, which experts link to long-term addiction, mental health issues, poor academic performance, and gender-based violence.

The change would align Kenya with countries like the United States, where studies show that delaying legal access to alcohol reduces youth consumption and related risks.

The policy also targets alcohol advertising, which Nacada has identified as a major influence on youth drinking.

According to the agency, at least one in four teenagers who consume alcohol say they were influenced by celebrity endorsements or adverts on social media and billboards.

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To address this, the government plans to ban all outdoor alcohol advertising, celebrity endorsements, and promotions on social media.

Alcohol adverts will also be prohibited during children’s TV programmes, school events, and national holidays.

Warning labels

To further support public health education, all alcohol containers will be required to carry warning labels in both English and Kiswahili.

Although Kenya has previously cracked down on illicit brews and unlicensed alcohol outlets, those efforts were often undermined by corruption and weak enforcement. The 2025 policy marks a shift in approach by treating alcohol and drug abuse as public health concerns rather than solely criminal issues.

The government also intends to expand access to treatment and rehabilitation services by establishing more public recovery centres at both the national and county levels.

Nacada is expected to begin phased implementation of the new regulations, pending legislative and regulatory adjustments needed to support the policy framework.