Thursday, July 31, 2025 - Dennis Itumbi, the Head of Presidential Special Projects & Creative Economy, has sharply criticised the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) over newly proposed alcohol regulations, warning that they could severely impact Kenya’s digital economy.
In a statement on his official X account on Wednesday, July
30th, Itumbi urged NACADA to engage the public and stakeholders
before implementing drastic measures.
The draft National Policy for the Prevention, Management and
Control of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse 2025 proposes banning content
creators from advertising alcoholic beverages - a move Itumbi claims could
cripple the country’s emerging digital sector.
“Content creators are not just influencers; they’re
entrepreneurs, digital advertisers and job creators.”
“Kenya’s digital economy is young and growing,” he said.
“Regulation is necessary, maybe mandatory, but NACADA must
engage, not silence. We need smart, inclusive policy - not blanket bans,” he
added.
Beyond advertising restrictions, NACADA’s policy also
proposes banning alcohol sales in supermarkets, residential areas, restaurants,
schools, beaches, parks, and petrol stations.
It further seeks to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to
21.
The sweeping proposals have sparked national debate, with
many Kenyans expressing concern over potential damage to business and
livelihoods.
Following the backlash, NACADA clarified that the proposals
are not final and will undergo public participation.
“Any regulation requiring legal backing will follow a
transparent review process with citizens and stakeholders actively involved,”
the agency stated.
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