NACADA Sets the Record Straight on Alcohol Policy, No Ban Yet, Public Input Needed

 

By Janet Philip

 The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has clarified recent media reports suggesting the immediate implementation of bans on alcohol advertising, online sales, home deliveries, and celebrity endorsements. The authority emphasized that no such bans are currently in place.

The clarification follows the launch of the National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse (2025) by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen earlier this week. According to NACADA, the policy is intended as a guiding framework, not a piece of legislation.

“These are recommendations designed to open up dialogue and initiate a formal review process involving all stakeholders,” NACADA stated, urging the public and media to avoid misinterpreting the policy as a law.

The authority explained that any future regulations or legal changes proposed under this policy will follow a structured and inclusive process, involving consultation with the public, government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and other interested groups.

As part of the next steps, NACADA plans to coordinate a multi-sectoral implementation framework to guide how the policy’s proposals are handled. The process will prioritize public participation, ensuring that Kenyans from all walks of life have a say in shaping the country’s future drug and alcohol control measures.

NACADA reiterated that the primary goal of the policy is to protect young people, reduce the harmful impact of alcohol and drug abuse, and build a healthier, more resilient society.

In light of the confusion caused by early media reports, NACADA has called on 1 and the public to treat the policy as a strategic roadmap, not a list of enforceable rules.

“No decisions have been finalized. We are at the beginning of a collaborative journey,” the authority emphasized.

The statement is expected to ease concerns from businesses, influencers, and consumers, many of whom were alarmed by earlier headlines suggesting abrupt restrictions on marketing and distribution of alcohol.

As the national conversation begins, Kenyans are encouraged to participate in shaping the final outcomes of this important policy direction.