A collective of Civil Society groups and advocated has come together in firm support of the newly launched National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse (2025).
They warned that the easy availability, low cost, and growing social acceptance of alcohol are fueling a health crisis that is undermining Kenya’s productivity and wellbeing.
They explianed how the new national policy on alcohol and drug control is timely and urged Parliament, faith leaders, media, and citizens from large institutions to small traders to defend it against misinformation and commercial sabotage, noting that “this policy is about people, not profits.
Opinion data cited by the groups shows 90% of Kenyans view alcohol as a problem, with many reporting personal or indirect experiences of its harmful effects, including road accidents, domestic violence, unemployment, bereavement, and alcohol-related illnesses.
At Miritini Rehabilitation Centre in Mombasa the most affordable in the country a three-month treatment program costs KSh60,000. In private facilities, the same program ranges from KSh120,000 to over KSh1 million.
Treating all Kenyans struggling with alcohol addiction for three months would cost an estimated KSh81 billion, excluding aftercare and reintegration expenses.
According to them, alcohol is linked to digestive disorders (21%), cardiovascular diseases (19%), and other preventable illnesses including liver disease, diabetes complications, cancers, mental health disorders as well as communicable diseases like HIV and STIs.
The substance remains a major driver of injuries, from road traffic accidents to self-harm and domestic violence.
In urban and peri-urban Kajiado for instance, 54.4% of men and women have been beaten by someone who had drunk alcohol. In Embu and Machakos, 56% of girls and women have been violated by a man when he was drunk.
Children in such environments face risks of physical abuse, sexual exploitation, emotional trauma, school drop out and malnutrition, as money meant for household needs is diverted to alcohol.
Alcohol use contributes to lost productivity within the private and public sector.
A public sector study found that alcohol users had reported higher prevalence of reporting late to work, being absent, having workplace related performance or disciplinary concerns or workplace related injuries compared to non alcohol users.
Other issues that lead to alcohol-attributable lost productivity include premature mortality, disability, alcohol-related jail time, time spent nursing hangovers.
”The debate over Kenya’s new alcohol policy often focuses on fears of losing 1.3 million jobs, but advocates highlight the 1.36 million people already struggling with alcohol use disorders and the millions more affected by addiction’s social and economic harm.”
”The policy seeks to raise the legal drinking age to 21, restrict alcohol advertising and sponsorships targeting youth, and create alcohol-free spaces for young people,” they sated.
While not a complete solution, it is seen as a necessary step to reduce harm, protect vulnerable groups, and shift social norms, alongside stronger enforcement, treatment programs, and youth support
While acknowledging various concerns on social and mass media, they reiterated that the majority of the population, including children and youth, do not drink alcohol and that translating this policy into legislation will lead to growth in alcohol free recreation and business innovation, decline in healthcare and social costs and improved productivity and family wellbeing.
A Call to Action
They urged the government to move swiftly into necessary laws and regulations, with sufficient support for prevention, treatment, enforcement, interagency coordination and public engagement.
”When this goes to parliament, we encourage sober discussions, guided by public health and human rights principles to pass supportive legislation and budgets to monitor implementation and resist industry lobbying,” they stated.
They also called upon counties tpo play their role clearly, guided by public health and human rights principles.
To the media, youth, civil society, religious and community leaders they encouraged responsible and victim-sensitive reporting to elevate survivor and community voices.
And for the private sector, to invest in alternative products and safe recreation
The National Alcohol Policy offers a science-based, people-centered path forward. It is time to act with courage, compassion, and conviction to prioritize health and safety.
Civil Society Groups and Advocates stand firmly behind the policy. For children. For families. For the future of the country.
