Ex-NACADA boss John Mututho slams proposed alcohol regulations
Former NACADA Chairman John Mututho has strongly criticised the government’s proposed alcohol regulations, saying they are out of touch with reality and are designed to punish Kenyans who are already suffering.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, July 31, 2025, Mututho said the tough new proposals from the Ministry of Interior are not practical and will only create more hardship instead of solving the problem of substance abuse.
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“These rules are just meant to hurt Kenyans who are already struggling. You can’t just wake up and declare that all the alcohol stock in the market is fake. If you asked me, like we said in 2015, supermarkets and other such places should operate like bars and only open for alcohol sales after 5 pm,” he stated.
The former NACADA boss added that previous efforts had introduced more realistic and collaborative measures, such as banning alcohol consumption inside vehicles, barring children from entering clubs, and encouraging club owners to voluntarily restrict people above 21 years from their premises.
“We said people shouldn’t drink alcohol inside cars. We also said people shouldn’t bring children into clubs. For years, we urged club owners, voluntarily, to come forward and commit that in their clubs, they would only serve people above the age of 21. But now coming and saying ‘this is how things must be’ is just about troubling people unnecessarily,” he added.
The proposed roadmap
Mututho’s comments come a day after the Ministry of Interior unveiled a tough national policy aimed at tackling the rising cases of alcohol and drug abuse across the country.
According to the proposed policy, online sales and home deliveries of alcohol will be banned. Alcohol vending through hawking or vending machines will no longer be allowed. Alcohol sales in supermarkets, petrol stations, restaurants, and residential areas or near learning institutions, will also be prohibited.
The legal drinking age is set to be raised from 18 to 21. Anyone under the age of 21 will not be allowed into alcohol-selling establishments, even when accompanied by an adult. Additionally, any person accompanied by a child or found with offensive weapons will not be allowed to purchase alcohol.
The policy also proposes strict regulations on alcohol advertising. NACADA wants to ban the use of celebrities such as musicians, actors, athletes, media personalities, and influencers in alcohol promotions.
Only individuals aged 25 and above will be permitted to appear in alcohol-related adverts. Furthermore, marketing campaigns will be required to avoid portraying alcohol consumption as glamorous or aspirational.
Alcohol advertisements will not be allowed during watershed hours between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm. across all platforms, including TV, radio, digital media, and foreign broadcasts. Music videos, films, and performances that depict alcohol or drug use positively will also be restricted from appearing in print and electronic media.
The proposed law will prohibit alcohol advertising and sponsorships at events targeting individuals under the age of 21, including schools, universities, and youth-focused sports, entertainment, or arts competitions. Outdoor alcohol advertisements will also be subjected to stricter rules and banned within 300 metres of schools, hospitals, residential areas, and government buildings.
In terms of packaging, alcohol manufacturers will be required to display clear health warnings and full ingredient lists. A minimum packaging size of 250 millilitres will be introduced to curb the production and sale of cheap, high-alcohol content sachets and small bottles, which are commonly consumed by low-income drinkers.
The policy also proposes an overhaul of Kenya’s alcohol licensing system. Only the national government will be allowed to issue licenses for the manufacture, import, export, and distribution of alcohol. The number and location of alcohol-selling outlets will be strictly controlled, especially in residential areas and near schools.
