The government has clarified that the reported restriction on the sale of alcohol in supermarkets, restaurants, online platforms, and home deliveries is not a new law but only a suggestion.
This clarification came on Wednesday, July 30, when a spokesperson from the Ministry of Interior addressed the concerns raised by Kenyans.
The ideas are part of the National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse 2025, which is still under discussion and not yet legally binding.
The proposals have caused confusion and anxiety among Kenyans, especially business owners and consumers.
Some people had thought the rules were already in effect, which led to public outcry. However, the ministry confirmed that these are just suggestions meant to be discussed by the public.
They include a number of proposed bans, such as stopping the sale of alcohol in supermarkets, restaurants, schools, residential areas, and even online platforms.
Home delivery services for alcohol would also be stopped if these proposals are passed into law.
The policy also includes a ban on selling and drinking alcohol in public spaces like beaches, parks, amusement parks, gas stations, and even dining areas in private members’ clubs and hotels.
One of the more controversial ideas is the proposal to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years. The government says this is aimed at reducing alcohol use among young people, especially teenagers who are often influenced by peer pressure.
All these ideas are part of a wider plan to amend the current Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010.
Before any changes can be made to the law, the suggestions will go through public consultations led by NACADA.
Kenyans are being asked to give their views and raise concerns about the proposals.
After that, the ideas will be presented to Parliament, where they will be debated and possibly changed. Parliament will also allow further public input before any of the proposals can become law.
The government emphasized that because these are still suggestions, no legal changes have been made yet.
That means supermarkets, restaurants, and online platforms can still legally sell alcohol until the law is changed, if at all.
The ministry acknowledged that the confusion among citizens was largely due to a misunderstanding of the situation.
Many people believed the government was already enforcing the rules, even though they are still under discussion.
There was also criticism that there had been no public participation before the announcement of the policy. Business owners especially felt left out, worrying about how the suggested changes could hurt their income and jobs.
If the proposals become law, alcohol will only be sold in bars and licensed liquor stores, which many Kenyans believe is unfair to other businesses that rely on alcohol sales.
The government says it will continue to listen to the public through NACADA and other forums before making any decisions.
It also promised that any challenges raised will be addressed through proper consultation.
For now, Kenyans are being encouraged to take part in the ongoing discussions and not to panic over suggestions that are still far from being made into law.
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