Alcohol Sales Face Ban in 10 Locations Including Petrol Stations, Supermarkets, and Restaurants Under NACADA Plan

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) has proposed strict new rules that could change how alcohol is sold across Kenya.

In the new plan, NACADA wants Parliament to approve laws that will stop the sale of alcohol in homes, residential estates, and several public places.

According to the proposal, alcohol sales could be banned in supermarkets, restaurants, petrol stations, and even vending machines. Residential areas are also included in the list.

The agency is also targeting public places where many people gather. These include beaches, parks, entertainment centres, bus parks, railway stations, ferry terminals, and along major highways.

NACADA says the move is meant to deal with the growing problem of underage drinking and harmful alcohol use in the country. The agency believes that reducing access to alcohol, especially in areas where young people live or spend time, will help protect them.

Speaking on the proposal, NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa said alcohol outlets near homes and schools are a major concern. He explained that early alcohol exposure can harm the brain development of young people and affect their behaviour in the future.

Omerikwa revealed that some reports show children in Kenya start drinking as early as four to seven years old. He warned that easy access to alcohol in residential areas and near schools increases the risk of early drinking.

If approved, the new rules could significantly change where and how alcohol is sold in Kenya, as authorities step up efforts to protect young people and control alcohol abuse.