Kenya Bans Alcohol Sales in Supermarkets and Home Liquor Deliveries

In a move set to radically alter the landscape of alcohol consumption, the Kenyan government has initiated a stringent set of restrictions, effective immediately. 

These new measures, spearheaded by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), are enshrined within the 2025 National Policy for the Prevention, Management and Control of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse. The sweeping changes outlaw the sale of alcohol in a broad array of locations, including supermarkets, restaurants, online platforms, residential zones, vending machines, public transport hubs, recreational areas, and any establishments linked to children's products. 

The ban also encompasses home deliveries and online sales, severely limiting consumer accessibility. Further impacting young adults, the legal drinking age has been raised to 21, from the previous 18. This provision prohibits those under 21 from entering establishments that sell alcohol, even if accompanied by adults.

In an attempt to lessen alcohol's cultural appeal, celebrities, influencers, and media personalities are now forbidden from endorsing or advertising alcoholic beverages. This extends to banning sports sponsorships and team branding connected to alcohol, a development poised to affect corporate partnerships within the entertainment and sports industries.

NACADA argues that these policies are crucial to tackling rising substance abuse rates, particularly among young people. The authority maintains that the reforms prioritise public health and aim to cultivate a safer, more responsible drinking culture.