The Kenyan government has adopted a new policy setting the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, among other restrictive measures touted as seeking to control abuse and promote a healthier society.

The first-ever National Policy on the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse proposes sweeping restrictions on who is allowed to drink alcohol and places where the booze cannot be served.

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These places include restaurants, supermarkets, residential areas, schools, public beaches, among others. It also mandates the distance between establishments selling alcohol and schools and places of worship. There will be no sale of alcohol at bus and train stations, sports facilities and petrol stations.

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Additionally, no person under the age of 21 will be allowed to access or enter any alcohol-selling outlets, whether accompanied or unaccompanied by an appropriate adult.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has also banned the delivery of liquor to people’s homes by vendors, a popular option for urban residents.

&039;New energy'

The new policy "injects new energy and focus into our fight for a secure, healthy, and prosperous Kenya," said Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, who launched the new instrument on Wednesday, July 30.

"Drug and substance abuse is compromising our public health, robbing the future of our youth, breaking families, fueling crime and tearing our communities apart," said Murkomen in a Wednesday post on X.

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"The Policy empowers us to intensify our operations against drug cartels, illicit brewers, and peddlers who prey on the vulnerability of our people, including children."

The minister said the Kenyan National Police Service, working with Specialised Units and Intelligence Agencies, "will enhance surveillance, dismantle supply networks, and ensure that those who profit from this menace are brought to justice."

Kenya already has &039;adequate restrictions'

The new policy has sparked controversies, with Kenyans taking to social media to express their views on the new instrument, which also puts a host of restrictions on alcohol advertising and endorsements by celebrities.

The Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) said the new policy, saying the East African country has "adequate restrictions" on alcohol consumption, sale, distribution and advertising.

"However, inadequate enforcement has led to a prevalence of illicit alcohol in the

market, with 60% of alcohol consumed in Kenya being illicit," the ABAK said in a Wednesday statement, citing a study by Euromonitor International commissioned by the association.

"This means that, regardless of the current legal drinking age of 18 years, Kenyans have more access to illicit alcohol than they do to legal alcohol."

While the association of alcohol manufactures voiced its support to responsible consumption of alcohol beverages, fight against illicit and prevention of underage drinking, it noted that "it is unfortunate that the policy was developed without the input of alcohol manufacturers who could have added valuable inputs to the policy."