Legislation to increase Kenya’s legal drinking age from 18 to 21 is under review by the National Assembly. Introduced on November 5, the Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs Control Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aims to address alcohol-related issues among youth.
The bill also proposes a levy of Ksh2 per litre on alcoholic drinks. This revenue would help finance alcohol regulation and drug abuse prevention programs. Under the proposed funding arrangement, 50 per cent of annual levy revenue would finance the committee’s operations, while at least 15 per cent would support civil society organisations running drug abuse prevention programmes.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah stated that raising the drinking age would protect young people. He argued that 18-year-olds are often not mature enough to make sound decisions about alcohol. Ichung’wah acknowledged that alcohol manufacturers could oppose the proposal but maintained that stronger regulation was necessary to address consumption among young Kenyans.
The legislation includes strict new restrictions. Alcohol sales would be banned online, through couriers, or by hawking. Outlets could not operate within 300 metres of schools, and licensed premises would be barred from admitting anyone under 21. The bill also proposes prohibiting alcohol sales through online platforms, courier services, home deliveries, hawking and vending machines.
Additional proposals include a ban on advertising alcohol online and prohibiting sales between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. Sales would also be forbidden at public beaches, sports facilities, cinemas, and petrol stations. Law enforcement officers would be banned from owning alcohol businesses. To address potential conflicts of interest, the Bill would prevent law enforcement officers from owning or operating alcohol-selling establishments.
Violators could face fines of up to Ksh10 million or imprisonment for up to five years. A 2025 Euromonitor report noted that illicit products make up 60 per cent of alcohol sold in Kenya. The report also found that consumption of unregulated alcohol has increased by 27 per cent since 2022, citing high taxes on legal alcohol as a key factor. It attributed the rise to high taxes on legal alcohol, the availability of homemade brews, and counterfeit and smuggled products.
