Murkomen defends anti-drug policy, says children’s lives come before profits
By Mustafa Juma, August 2, 2025Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the new proposed alcohol policy by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA).
Speaking at an event on Friday, August 1, 2025, Murkomen dismissed criticism from sections of the public and industry players who claim the measures will harm the economy.
Murkomen decried the backlash he received after the launch of the National Policy on the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse by NACADA.
The policy proposes, among other things, to raise the legal drinking age to 21, restrict alcohol advertising during children’s viewing hours, and ban alcohol sales near schools and children’s recreational spaces.
“Tulienda kuzindua policy ya NACADA… tukasema kwamba pombe isiuzwe karibu na shule,” he stated.
“Tukisema pombe iuziwe 21 years, kwanini wale wanauza wanakuja kusema ati profit itaenda chini? Kuna mtu akili yake iko sawa sana anaeza sema ati watoto wa 18 mpaka 20 years wakunywe pombe?”
Religious leaders’ silence
Murkomen expressed disappointment that religious leaders remained silent during the backlash, despite the policy being designed to protect young people from substance abuse.
“Hakuna hata mmoja alinitetea,” he said, referencing church figures. “Mnataka pombe itembee kila mahali?”
The CS further criticised alcohol manufacturers for opposing the age limit, saying their focus on profits ignored the long-term damage caused by underage drinking.
He cited a major alcohol company that argued raising the drinking age would hurt sales and negatively impact the economy.
“Niliona kampuni moja kubwa ikisema ati uchumi itaanguka kwa sababu wakunywa pombe watakuwa wachache,” he said.
Murkomen maintained that the policy is about safeguarding the future of Kenya’s youth and not targeting the alcohol industry unfairly. “We cannot prioritise profit over our children’s lives,” he concluded.
Retailers’ concerns
The Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) is among the industry players who have expressed concern over the proposed alcohol policy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, RETRAK emphasised that it was neither invited nor consulted during the formulation of the policy, which introduces stricter regulations on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages across the country.
“The Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) acknowledges the proposed policy by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA), launched today, which outlines new restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages,” the statement read in part.
“From the outset, we wish to clarify that RETRAK was neither consulted nor invited to contribute to the development of this policy. We urge NACADA and other stakeholders to ensure that any ongoing legislative processes remain transparent and inclusive, as espoused by our constitutional guardrails.”