The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has issued a clarification following widespread public reaction to its latest proposals on alcohol and substance abuse control.
In a statement released on Wednesday, July 30, the authority responded to what it termed as “misinformation” being circulated in the media, particularly suggestions that it intended to immediately ban alcohol advertising, retail sales, and celebrity endorsements.
NACADA stated that the measures in question were not new laws but policy proposals, adding that no immediate bans have been enacted.
“These are policy recommendations, not binding regulations or laws. Implementation will only follow after thorough legislative processes,” the agency clarified.
According to NACADA, the next step will involve the development of a comprehensive implementation framework in collaboration with government ministries, the private sector, civil society, and the public.
“This will be a phased and inclusive process. Every step will be subjected to stakeholder input and transparent review,” NACADA said.
The clarification comes hours after the authority published a raft of proposals aimed at combating growing alcohol and drug abuse, especially among youth.
Among the key proposals was the recommendation to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years, a move NACADA says is intended to reduce early exposure and addiction risk among young people.
NACADA also proposed the creation of alcohol- and drug-free zones around schools, religious institutions, and youth centres to limit young people’s exposure to harmful substances.
Further, the authority called for integrating mental health education, drug awareness, and life skills into the national curriculum as a long-term prevention strategy.
One of the most heavily debated suggestions was a comprehensive restriction on alcohol marketing. NACADA called for a total ban on outdoor advertising, social media endorsements, and celebrity-led promotions.
It also recommended barring alcohol advertisements during children’s programming, school events, and national celebrations, arguing that such exposure influences underage drinking.
To increase public awareness, the proposals also called for mandatory health warning labels on all alcoholic beverages in both English and Kiswahili.
In addition, NACADA is pushing for measures to limit the availability of alcohol, including banning online sales, home deliveries, and vending machine distribution.
These proposed reforms drew strong reactions from various sectors, prompting NACADA to urge the public and media to approach the conversation with accuracy and responsibility.
“The intention is not to cause alarm or impose abrupt restrictions. This policy is a preventive strategy, anchored in wellness and enforcement, aimed at protecting youth from addiction and social harm,” the authority said.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa reiterated that the authority’s focus remains the health and productivity of Kenya’s youth.
“We are not introducing bans but laying out recommendations for public discussion and legal scrutiny. The goal is to create a society where young people can thrive free from the burden of substance abuse,” he said.
The statement marks an attempt to cool tensions sparked by the initial interpretation of NACADA’s policy direction, which had stirred concern among advertisers, the hospitality industry, and the public.
