The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) clarified that its new alcohol policy, launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, contains recommendations, not immediate bans, on issues like alcohol advertising and online sales.

• The policy proposes raising the minimum legal alcohol age to 21 years.
• NACADA emphasized that any proposals requiring legal backing will undergo a transparent and inclusive review process with public participation.
• The policy seeks to prohibit alcohol branding in sports and restrict celebrity and influencer endorsements of alcoholic products.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s proposed alcohol policy, calling it a waste of time. Gachagua argued that Murkomen's plan to 'ban' alcohol in certain areas does little to address the country's growing issues with illicit alcohol and narcotics abuse.

• The proposed policy, launched on July 30, recommended raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years and prohibiting alcohol sales in residential premises, supermarkets, restaurants, and online.
• Gachagua accused President William Ruto’s administration and Murkomen of sabotaging his past initiatives which he claims successfully reduced alcohol abuse.
• Gachagua alleges that Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo reopened illicit alcohol factories and withdrew funding for rehabilitation programs.

Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects & Creative Economy, has publicly criticized new alcohol regulations proposed by NACADA, warning of significant economic repercussions, particularly for content creators. He emphasized the need for public consultation before implementation.

• NACADA's National Policy for the Prevention, Management and Control of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse 2025 proposes banning content creators from advertising alcohol and raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years.
• Itumbi, a staunch advocate for content creators, argues these bans could cripple Kenya's digital economy, which he describes as "young & growing."
• The proposed regulations also include banning alcohol sales in supermarkets and various public and institutional settings, sparking widespread controversy among Kenyans concerned about the business ecosystem.