A broad coalition of health professionals, civil society leaders, and grassroots organizations has declared unwavering support for the National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse (2025), calling it a decisive step toward reversing Kenya’s growing alcohol-fuelled public health crisis.
Alcohol misuse is no longer just an individual issue; it is a family, community, and national emergency. One in eight Kenyans drinks alcohol, and one in twenty is addicted, leaving millions trapped in cycles of poor health, broken families, and economic struggles. Treatment is largely unaffordable. The cheapest rehabilitation at Miritini Rehabilitation Centre costs KSh 55,000 for three months, while private facilities can charge up to KSh 1 million. Treating all current cases of alcohol use disorder would cost at least KSh 74 billion, not including aftercare and reintegration.
The effects reach every sector. Alcohol is linked to digestive disorders (21%), cardiovascular diseases (19%), liver disease, cancers, and communicable diseases like HIV. It leads to road accidents, gender-based violence, child neglect, and absenteeism at work. In urban areas of Kajiado, more than 54% of residents have experienced physical assault from someone who was drunk. In Embu and Machakos, 56% of women and girls report sexual violence by intoxicated offenders. Households that consume alcohol also spend less on food, increasing the risk of child malnutrition.
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The policy proposes bold, science-based measures:
– Raising the minimum drinking age to 21 to protect brain development and reduce risky behavior among young people.
– Limiting alcohol marketing and sponsorship, especially in spaces and online platforms accessed by minors.
– Promoting alcohol-free environments to encourage healthier social norms for young people.
While industry warnings about job losses have emerged, advocates challenge this view. “What about the millions already harmed, the children forced out of school due alcoholic parents, the women violated, the lives lost in accidents? Industries can change, but victims cannot undo their trauma,” the coalition states.
The statement urges Parliament to legislate without delay, following public health and human rights principles. It calls on counties to enforce zoning, licensing, and prevention programs. Media outlets are urged to report responsibly, focusing on lived experiences and scientific evidence rather than commercial interests.
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Signatories behind the push include the Addiction Prevention and Rehabilitation Association of Kenya, Kenya Alliance Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Kenya Girl Guides Association, and Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance-Kenya, believe the policy provides a people-centered, evidence-driven plan to reduce harm, restore productivity, and improve family wellbeing.
“For our children, our families, and the future of our country—we must support this policy,” the coalition concludes.
