The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is set to implement a new raft of measures aimed at curbing rising alcohol and drug abuse, particularly among the youth. Key among the proposed changes is the plan to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years.
The changes are contained in the National Policy on the Prevention of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Use (2025), which was approved by the Cabinet on June 24. The policy introduces far-reaching regulations that include a ban on the sale of alcohol near schools and places of worship, and a zero-tolerance approach to irresponsible alcohol and drug promotion.
According to NACADA, the policy is designed to address a national crisis, with young people being the most affected. In February 2025, the Authority released a study titled Status of Drugs and Substance Use Among University Students in Kenya, which showed that alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among university students. The report revealed that 87.3% of students consume alcohol, while 64.4% use cigarettes and 41.2% indulge in shisha.
The study, which surveyed 15,678 students across public and private universities, also found that 66.4% of respondents obtain substances from friends, and 59.3% from neighborhood bars and canteens.
The policy also proposes safeguards for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities (PWDs), and aims to protect individuals who choose to abstain from substance use. Additionally, NACADA continues to partner with community and faith-based organizations to promote substance abuse awareness and prevention.
With the government’s green light, NACADA is now expected to roll out enforcement plans in collaboration with other agencies in the coming months.
Written By Rodney Mbua
