NACADA Unveils Comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Policy to Combat Substance Abuse
Quote from Lawyer on July 30, 2025, 2:19 pmThe National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has introduced the National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse 2025, a robust framework to combat the growing crisis of substance abuse in Kenya. This policy, developed through extensive collaboration with government agencies, civil society, faith-based organizations, and the private sector, aims to safeguard public health, reduce substance-related harms, and promote a healthier, drug-free nation.
The policy addresses the alarming prevalence of alcohol and drug use, particularly among youth. According to NACADA's 2022 data, 17.5 percent of Kenyans, approximately 4.7 million people, use at least one substance, with alcohol being the most common at 12.8 percent, followed by tobacco at 8.5 percent and cannabis at 1.9 percent. Among youth aged 15-24, one in 11 currently uses a substance, with alcohol consumption reported by one in 20. Even more concerning, secondary school students are increasingly exposed, with 3.8 percent using alcohol, 3.6 percent using khat, and 1.8 percent using cannabis. The policy also highlights emerging trends, such as the rise of cannabis edibles like "weed cookies" and the misuse of prescription drugs like diazepam and veterinary drugs like xylazine.
To curb these issues, the policy imposes strict regulations on alcohol sales and marketing. The legal age for handling, purchasing, consuming, and selling alcohol has been raised from 18 to 21 to delay initiation and reduce related harms. Sales are banned in supermarkets, restaurants, petrol stations, public beaches, parks, and within 300 meters of schools, places of worship, or residential areas. Online sales and home deliveries are also prohibited, alongside vending machines and outlets selling children's products. Alcohol packaging will now require standardized labeling with health warnings in English and Kiswahili to inform consumers of risks.
A significant focus of the reforms is on advertising and promotion. Social media influencers, celebrities, and media personalities over 25 are barred from endorsing alcohol, particularly in content targeting children or youth. Advertisements are prohibited during watershed hours (5:00 AM to 10:00 PM), on outdoor platforms, and in connection with events like sports tournaments or school functions. Promotions involving free samples, discounts, or prize-oriented competitions that encourage excessive drinking are banned. NACADA aims to prevent the glamorization of alcohol, ensuring advertisements provide factual information without emphasizing alcohol's strength or depicting it as a lifestyle choice.
The policy also strengthens enforcement and prevention. County governments will establish Alcohol and Drug Control Committees to oversee local licensing, public education, and rehabilitation efforts. Law enforcement agencies, in collaboration with the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' Cybercrime Unit, will monitor and remove harmful online content. Stricter measures against drink-driving include sobriety checkpoints, random breath-testing, and license suspensions for offenders. The policy also enhances penalties for alcohol-related crimes and supports forfeiture of assets linked to drug trafficking.
To address treatment and rehabilitation, NACADA plans to expand access to affordable, evidence-based services for individuals with substance use disorders. Training programs for teachers, healthcare workers, and community leaders will improve early detection and support for those affected. The policy emphasizes protecting vulnerable groups, including children, youth, women, and persons with disabilities, from substance-related harms.
Funding for these initiatives will come from government budgets, international development partners, private sector contributions, and fundraising efforts. NACADA will coordinate implementation, supported by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, with a National Action Plan outlining specific strategies, timelines, and responsibilities. A monitoring and evaluation framework will track progress, with reports issued quarterly and annually, and a comprehensive policy review scheduled every five years.
The policy has sparked debate. Supporters, including public health advocates, praise its focus on protecting youth and reducing accessibility. Critics, including some in the creative industry, argue that restrictions on endorsements could impact livelihoods. NACADA's CEO, Anthony Omerikwa, emphasized that the reforms prioritize public health over commercial interests, aligning with Kenya's constitutional commitment to the highest attainable standard of health and consumer protection.
As Kenya confronts the social, economic, and health challenges of substance abuse, this policy represents a bold step toward a safer, healthier future. By fostering collaboration across sectors and empowering communities, NACADA aims to build a nation where individuals and families thrive free from the devastating effects of alcohol and drugs.
Read the full policy here.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has introduced the National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse 2025, a robust framework to combat the growing crisis of substance abuse in Kenya. This policy, developed through extensive collaboration with government agencies, civil society, faith-based organizations, and the private sector, aims to safeguard public health, reduce substance-related harms, and promote a healthier, drug-free nation.
The policy addresses the alarming prevalence of alcohol and drug use, particularly among youth. According to NACADA's 2022 data, 17.5 percent of Kenyans, approximately 4.7 million people, use at least one substance, with alcohol being the most common at 12.8 percent, followed by tobacco at 8.5 percent and cannabis at 1.9 percent. Among youth aged 15-24, one in 11 currently uses a substance, with alcohol consumption reported by one in 20. Even more concerning, secondary school students are increasingly exposed, with 3.8 percent using alcohol, 3.6 percent using khat, and 1.8 percent using cannabis. The policy also highlights emerging trends, such as the rise of cannabis edibles like "weed cookies" and the misuse of prescription drugs like diazepam and veterinary drugs like xylazine.
To curb these issues, the policy imposes strict regulations on alcohol sales and marketing. The legal age for handling, purchasing, consuming, and selling alcohol has been raised from 18 to 21 to delay initiation and reduce related harms. Sales are banned in supermarkets, restaurants, petrol stations, public beaches, parks, and within 300 meters of schools, places of worship, or residential areas. Online sales and home deliveries are also prohibited, alongside vending machines and outlets selling children's products. Alcohol packaging will now require standardized labeling with health warnings in English and Kiswahili to inform consumers of risks.
A significant focus of the reforms is on advertising and promotion. Social media influencers, celebrities, and media personalities over 25 are barred from endorsing alcohol, particularly in content targeting children or youth. Advertisements are prohibited during watershed hours (5:00 AM to 10:00 PM), on outdoor platforms, and in connection with events like sports tournaments or school functions. Promotions involving free samples, discounts, or prize-oriented competitions that encourage excessive drinking are banned. NACADA aims to prevent the glamorization of alcohol, ensuring advertisements provide factual information without emphasizing alcohol's strength or depicting it as a lifestyle choice.
The policy also strengthens enforcement and prevention. County governments will establish Alcohol and Drug Control Committees to oversee local licensing, public education, and rehabilitation efforts. Law enforcement agencies, in collaboration with the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' Cybercrime Unit, will monitor and remove harmful online content. Stricter measures against drink-driving include sobriety checkpoints, random breath-testing, and license suspensions for offenders. The policy also enhances penalties for alcohol-related crimes and supports forfeiture of assets linked to drug trafficking.
To address treatment and rehabilitation, NACADA plans to expand access to affordable, evidence-based services for individuals with substance use disorders. Training programs for teachers, healthcare workers, and community leaders will improve early detection and support for those affected. The policy emphasizes protecting vulnerable groups, including children, youth, women, and persons with disabilities, from substance-related harms.
Funding for these initiatives will come from government budgets, international development partners, private sector contributions, and fundraising efforts. NACADA will coordinate implementation, supported by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, with a National Action Plan outlining specific strategies, timelines, and responsibilities. A monitoring and evaluation framework will track progress, with reports issued quarterly and annually, and a comprehensive policy review scheduled every five years.
The policy has sparked debate. Supporters, including public health advocates, praise its focus on protecting youth and reducing accessibility. Critics, including some in the creative industry, argue that restrictions on endorsements could impact livelihoods. NACADA's CEO, Anthony Omerikwa, emphasized that the reforms prioritize public health over commercial interests, aligning with Kenya's constitutional commitment to the highest attainable standard of health and consumer protection.
As Kenya confronts the social, economic, and health challenges of substance abuse, this policy represents a bold step toward a safer, healthier future. By fostering collaboration across sectors and empowering communities, NACADA aims to build a nation where individuals and families thrive free from the devastating effects of alcohol and drugs.
Read the full policy here.