Drinking age 21 and no online alcohol sales: Kenya's new alcohol bill explained
A bill now before Parliament would raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, ban alcohol sales online and by delivery, keep bars 300 metres from schools and add a KSh2-a-litre levy, with fines of up to KSh10 million. Manufacturers warn of lost sales.
- New explainer: Drinking age 21 and no online alcohol sales.
The Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs Control Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was read for the first time in the National Assembly on Thursday 5 November 2026. Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah defended it in the House. It is a proposal: it must still go through public participation, committee review and votes.
What the bill proposes
| Area | Proposal |
|---|---|
| Drinking age | Raised from 18 to 21; under-21s barred from licensed bars and entertainment venues |
| Where alcohol can't be sold | Online platforms, courier and doorstep delivery, mobile hawking and vending machines |
| Schools | No liquor outlets within 300 metres of a school |
| New levy | KSh2 per litre on local and imported alcohol; at least 15% goes to anti-drug groups |
| Licensing | A new National Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee licenses manufacturers and importers |
| Penalties | Fines of up to KSh10 million, up to 5 years in jail, or both |
Why now
- Illicit and toxic brews continue to kill and blind drinkers, and alcohol abuse is a major problem among young people.
- Nairobi County has separately proposed tougher local alcohol laws to curb illicit liquor.
- NACADA, the anti-drug authority, has pushed for many of these restrictions since 2025.
The arguments
| For | Against |
|---|---|
| Protects young people while the brain is still developing | 18-year-olds can vote, marry and work, but not drink legally |
| Delivery bans make it harder for minors to buy | Manufacturers warn of billions in lost sales and jobs |
| Levy funds prevention and treatment | Strict rules may push drinkers to cheaper illicit brews |
Dadaab MP Farah Maalim asked why miraa and muguka were left out of the bill.
How to have your say
Watch for Parliament's public participation notice. Written comments can be sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly once the committee invites them.
