NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has announced a sweeping crackdown on alcohol and drug use in Kenya, targeting what it describes as a growing crisis of substance abuse among young people.
The measures are outlined in the newly approved National Policy on the Prevention of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Use (2025), which seeks to introduce far-reaching reforms in how alcohol is sold, advertised, and consumed across the country.
Among the proposals is a ban on the sale of alcohol near schools and places of worship, and a strict zero-tolerance stance on irresponsible marketing of alcohol and drug-related products.
The policy will also raise the legal age for alcohol consumption from 18 to 21, in what the authority says is a bid to protect vulnerable age groups from early exposure.
The Cabinet gave the green light to the new policy on June 24, paving the way for NACADA to begin enforcement.
“We are not just focusing on prohibition; we are looking at comprehensive safeguards, especially for persons with disabilities, the youth, and other vulnerable groups,” the Authority said in a statement.
The announcement comes just months after NACADA released a damning report on substance use in higher learning institutions.
The February 2025 study, which surveyed 15,678 undergraduate students from both public and private universities, found that 87.3% of students consume alcohol, 64.4% smoke cigarettes, and 41.2% use shisha.
Peer influence appears to be a major factor, with 66.4% of students admitting they obtain drugs from friends, while 59.3% said they access substances from local bars and canteens.
In response, NACADA has stepped up its community outreach, working with faith-based organizations and local leaders to promote drug-free lifestyles, particularly among the youth.
The Authority emphasized that the fight against substance abuse cannot be won through legislation alone, and called for a multi-sectoral approach involving families, schools, religious institutions, and civil society.
