The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has clarified that no legal bans have been imposed on alcohol advertising, online sales, home deliveries, or celebrity endorsements, following widespread public confusion and debate over new policy recommendations unveiled this week.
The clarification comes in the wake of 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 on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Among the most controversial proposals in the policy are:
- Raising the legal age for purchasing, consuming, and selling alcohol from 18 to 21 years
- Prohibiting use of celebrities, influencers, and sports figures in alcohol advertising
- Banning alcohol branding in sports sponsorships
- Outlawing lifestyle marketing that glamorizes alcohol consumption
However, in a formal statement issued Wednesday, NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa said the measures in question remain policy proposals, not law, and are not currently enforceable.
“This is a national policy, and contrary to reports suggesting that NACADA has banned certain practices… we wish to emphasise that no bans have been introduced,” Omerikwa said.
“These are currently policy recommendations, not legal directives.”
Next Steps: Legal Scrutiny, Not Immediate Action
Dr Omerikwa explained that the new policy is meant to serve as a guiding framework, and any proposed measures that require legal authority will be subjected to multi-sectoral dialogue and public participation.
“The next step is the development of a multi-sectoral implementation framework, involving government, industry, civil society and the public,” he said.
“Any measure requiring legislation will undergo a transparent law review process.”
The Authority stressed that public engagement will be central to the rollout of any changes, especially those likely to affect commercial freedoms, youth culture, and media content.
Public Misinterpretation and Media Uproar
Confusion over the status of the policy escalated after several media outlets reported that NACADA had banned celebrity endorsements and shut down online alcohol sales, sparking backlash from businesses and social media influencers.
Some interpreted the policy launch as a blanket ban, prompting questions about freedom of expression, livelihoods, and youth access to services.
However, NACADA clarified that the policy launch marks the beginning—not the conclusion—of a consultative process, and that no punitive measures are in place at this time.
Policy Goals: Protecting Youth and Public Health
NACADA reiterated that the core objective of the policy is to reduce the health and social harms caused by alcohol and drug abuse, particularly among young people.
“NACADA’s goal, as clearly outlined in the policy, is to protect our youth, reduce related harm, and foster a healthier, more productive society,” Dr Omerikwa said.
The Authority is now encouraging the public to access accurate updates through its official website and verified communication channels, cautioning against the spread of misinformation.
