Supermarkets, petrol stations and vending machines will be prohibited from selling alcohol and other substances of abuse, according to the proposed national drug policy. 

In a bid to control access to such substances, the government is also proposing that the minimum legal age for handling, purchasing, consuming and selling alcohol should be 21. 

Also proposed are a ban on the use of direct and indirect price promotions, discount sales, provision of free alcohol, sales below cost and flat rates for unlimited drinking. 

According to the first-ever National Policy on the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse in Kenya that was launched on July 30, 2025, the size, packaging and labelling, including ingredients and health warnings, shall also be regulated. 

Public awareness 

The National Authority for the Campaign against Drug Abuse (NACADA) Board chair Stephen Mairori said the policy places prevention and demand reduction at the very core of the strategy. 

“We recognise the place of prevention, which is better than cure. The policy champions intensified public education and awareness campaigns, tailored to reach every corner of our nation, from the bustling cities to the remotest villages,” said Dr Mairori. 

The authority’s CEO, Dr Anthony Omerikwa, also said there was a need to deal with access and availability. 

Other proposals include raising the legal age for drinking and selling alcohol from 18 to 21; banning alcohol advertisements on TV and radio during watershed hours -5 am–10 pm; Enforcing health warnings and pictorial labels on alcoholic products; and upholding the 300-metre rule. 

The sale shall also be prohibited in public beaches, public parks, amusement parks, recreational facilities, medical facilities, sports facilities, bus parks, bus stops, railway stations, public transport, including trains, ferry stations, piers, and along the highways. 

The policy has also banned hawking, online sale of alcohol and home deliveries. 

The licensing of manufacture, exportation and importation of alcoholic drinks shall be undertaken by the National Government. 

Alcohol will also not be sold or served to anyone accompanied by a child, and in children-oriented events such as festivals, parties, sporting, and recreation events 

Persons armed with offensive weapons are also prohibited from consuming alcoholic drinks.

There will also be restrictions in relation to the number of alcohol selling outlets allowed to operate in a given locality based on the population density and other relevant considerations. 

The actual minimum size of alcohol packages will not be less than 250ml, and all public officers in the enforcement or compliance chain shall not own and operate an outlet selling alcohol directly or via proxy. 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who officiated the launch, said drug and substance abuse fuel crime, compromise public health, undermine the potential of our youth, destabilise families and erode the very fabric of our communities. 

“The pervasive nature of this challenge demands a robust, coordinated, and resolute response. Our job is to maintain law and order, ensuring national security and fostering a peaceful environment for all Kenyans and our visitors. Alcohol, drugs and substance abuse directly undermine these core mandates,” Murkomen said. 

The CS said the government’s focus will be multi-pronged and decisive, including law enforcement and supply reduction, and community engagement and administration. 

“This policy empowers us to intensify our operations against drug cartels, illicit brewers and peddlers who prey on the vulnerability of our people, including children,” the CS said. 

The police, in close collaboration with specialised units and intelligence agencies, will enhance surveillance, dismantle supply networks and ensure that those who profit from this menace are brought to justice. 

“We will streamline inter-agency coordination, making it easier to share intelligence and conduct joint operations across all relevant Government Departments. 

The National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) will also work closely with the people and understand the local dynamics of substance abuse. 

Border controls 

The CS also warned that Kenya’s strategic geographical location makes it vulnerable to transit of illicit drugs, and that the government will strengthen border controls, enhance surveillance at our ports of entry and invest in advanced detection technologies to intercept drugs and precursor chemicals. 

“We will also continue to collaborate with regional and international partners to combat transnational organised crime networks involved in drug trafficking, recognising that this is a global fight that requires global solidarity. 

While the primary focus is prevention and enforcement, the government also recognises the profound need for rehabilitation and reintegration. 

“Individuals struggling with addiction will not only be rehabilitated, but will be integrated back into society. Our correctional facilities will play a role in rehabilitation programmes for those within the Justice System,” the CS said.