NACADA claps back at Bien after singer slams proposed ban
By Steve Ireri, July 14, 2025The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has responded firmly to Kenyan artiste Bien-Aimé Baraza after the singer criticised proposed regulations targeting alcohol advertising and online sales.
Taking to social media on Monday, July 14, 2025, Bien had voiced frustration over what he termed fake morality, accusing the government of pretending to care about the same youth it was harming through joblessness and censorship.
“NACADA now proposes banning alcohol advertising, online sales and wants to change the legal drinking age to 21. The government recently banned advertising of betting. These bans affect the creative and advertising industries heavily,” Bien posted.
He added, “What is this fake morality? Pretending to care about the very youth they are killing. Are we the first country to have these vices? Then we wonder why unemployment is so rampant!”
In a swift and structured rebuttal shared on their X account on the same day, NACADA thanked the Sauti Sol vocalist for raising his concerns but clarified that the proposed restrictions were not about censorship but about public health and protecting Kenya’s young population.
“Thank you, @bienaimesol, for sharing your concerns. We respect your voice and influence in shaping conversations that matter to young Kenyans. Let us be clear: this is not about fake morality or censorship. It is about public health, data-driven prevention, and protecting the same youth we all claim to care about,” NACADA said in a statement shared on their official X account.
NACADA backed its position with statistics, noting that alcohol was the most abused substance in Kenya and that exposure often began as early as age thirteen.
“Youth are the primary targets of online, influencer-led alcohol marketing, and this is a fact,” the statement read. “The burden of addiction is costing families, schools, and our healthcare system dearly, which is again an indisputable fact.”
Creative economy
Addressing Bien’s concerns about the impact on the creative economy, NACADA explained that the measures were not an attack on creativity, but rather a call for responsible engagement with products that have real-life consequences.
NACADA added that, just as other countries regulate tobacco and prescription drug advertisements, Kenya must also treat alcohol with equal seriousness, as it is not just another ordinary product.
“We are not banning creativity. We are regulating access and exposure, especially where it blurs the line between lifestyle and addiction. Just like countries regulate tobacco and prescription drug ads, we are saying, Alcohol is not just another product,” the authority noted.
Further responding to Bien’s lament over youth unemployment, NACADA stated that they were actively working with county governments and stakeholders to create alternative opportunities.
“That is why we are working with county governments and partners to create treatment jobs, prevention programmes, peer mentorship roles, and youth-led media projects that shift the narrative without harming lives.”