Religious leaders applaud government’s new alcohol measures
By Ascah Mwango, August 3, 2025The Kenya Coalition of Church Alliances and Ministries (KCCAM) has welcomed the government’s latest efforts to address the growing problem of alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
The Church has voiced its support for the proposal to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years, among other sweeping measures introduced under a new national policy developed by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, August 3, KCCAM Chairman Bishop Kepha Omae praised NACADA’s work in drafting the policy and urged the government to ensure the new regulations are enforced fairly and transparently.
“Recent history has shown that well-meaning regulations are often turned into avenues of money seeking by rogue officials,” Bishop Omae said.
Adding;
“Therefore, we urge NACADA, having done a commendable job by coming up with these policy guidelines, and the government as a whole, to ensure that the licensing and enforcement frameworks under the new regulations are transparent, accountable, and insulated from the usual bribery and harassment, especially at the local level.”
The bishop also warned that the Church would not stand by if the new laws were misused.
“The Church will not remain silent if these rules become a tool of oppression and extortion,” he added.
Murkomen to the church
His remarks came just a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen criticised both religious leaders and alcohol manufacturers for what he described as a lack of support for the government’s campaign to protect young people.
Murkomen accused alcohol companies of prioritising profits over the welfare of Kenyans, pointing to complaints from major manufacturers who warned that the new policies would hurt their revenues.
“I saw in the media people saying this government is destroying the economy. I saw a big alcohol company saying its profits will go down if the drinking age is raised to 21,” Murkomen said.
Adding;
“Is there anyone in their right mind who can say that increasing the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 is bad for business?”
The CS went further to express his disappointment with faith leaders.
“The people who call themselves church leaders, not a single one defended me, no one supported that law or said it was the right thing,” he lamented.
New regulations
The proposed national alcohol policy aims to combat the growing public health crisis linked to alcohol abuse, particularly among youth. If passed into law, people under the age of 21 will not be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol and will also be barred from entering bars and other alcohol-selling establishments, even when accompanied by an adult.
The policy includes a ban on online sales and home deliveries of alcohol, a service that has become increasingly popular in urban areas. It also seeks to eliminate the hawking of alcohol and ban vending machines used for alcohol sales. Additionally, supermarkets, petrol stations, restaurants, and retail shops located near homes, schools, or residential estates will no longer be permitted to sell alcohol.
The policy also proposes tough restrictions on alcohol advertising and promotions. It seeks to ban the use of celebrities, musicians, influencers, and other public figures in marketing alcoholic beverages. Only people aged 25 and above will be allowed to appear in alcohol-related adverts, which must avoid portraying alcohol as fashionable or desirable.
Further, advertisements for alcohol on TV, radio, and digital platforms will not be allowed between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm. The restrictions will also apply to foreign films, music videos, and online content that presents alcohol use in a positive light.
Alcohol brands will be prohibited from sponsoring school functions, university activities, youth sports events, or art competitions. Outdoor billboards advertising alcoholic drinks will also face new regulations and will not be allowed within 300 metres of schools, hospitals, residential homes, or government buildings.
To increase public awareness, alcohol manufacturers will be required to list full ingredients and display clear health warnings on packaging. A new rule will also enforce a minimum packaging size of 250 millilitres, targeting the cheap and easily accessible small bottles and sachets often consumed by low-income groups.
The policy further proposes that licensing of alcohol production, import, export, and distribution be handled by the national government rather than counties. The location and number of alcohol outlets will be strictly regulated, particularly around schools and residential areas.