The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has banned influencers and celebs from working with alcohol brands.
The newly released Kenya’s National Alcohol Policy 2025, represents a significant shift in how alcohol abuse will be addressed in the country. NACADA has put a ban on social media influencers, media personalities, and celebrities promoting alcoholic products. The policy also restricts individuals under 25 from endorsing alcohol.
Social media influencers and celebrities have become powerful marketing tools, often seen as role models by young followers. By endorsing alcohol, they can glamorize drinking, associating it with fame and success. This raises concerns about how alcohol is portrayed as part of a glamorous lifestyle, especially for impressionable teenagers and young adults.
The policy takes a comprehensive approach to combat alcohol abuse by focusing on prevention, control, and recovery. Among its key provisions are raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, declaring alcohol- and drug-free zones around schools and faith centers, and integrating drug education into school curricula. These efforts are aimed at delaying alcohol initiation and reducing consumption, particularly among young people.
Another crucial aspect of the policy is controlling alcohol availability. Online alcohol sales, vending machines, and home deliveries will be banned, and alcohol outlets will be prohibited within 300 meters of schools and residential estates. These measures aim to limit accessibility, especially for minors. The policy also enhances border surveillance to tackle the trafficking of counterfeit and illicit alcohol.
Additionally, alcohol packaging will be required to carry health warnings in both English and Kiswahili.
In addition to the measures mentioned above, the policy also recognizes substance use disorders as a medical and psychosocial issue, underscoring the importance of treatment and rehabilitation.
NACADA plans to scale up public treatment and rehabilitation centers at both national and county levels and integrate alcohol-related treatment services into health schemes such as NHIF. With support systems like a 24-hour helpline, NACADA is committed to helping individuals struggling with alcohol-related issues and providing resources for recovery.
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It also encourages the collaboration of universities and research bodies to study emerging issues like vaping and synthetic drugs.
