NACADA PRESSURED TO EXTEND ALCOHOL BAN TO PARLIAMENT AND POLICE STATIONS

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is facing mounting pressure from civil society groups and concerned citizens to ban alcohol consumption in Parliament and police station canteens.
This follows NACADA’s recent proposal to restrict alcohol sales in public places such as supermarkets, petrol stations, and residential areas, as part of a broader policy aimed at reducing alcohol and substance abuse across the country.
Activists argue that members of Parliament and police officers must lead by example in maintaining sobriety, especially while on duty, and have called for an outright prohibition of alcohol in these high-level institutions. “You cannot fight alcohol abuse in society while it is being normalized in state institutions,” said one activist during a public forum.
NACADA has since clarified that its new proposals are policy recommendations and not legally binding bans—at least not yet. The authority emphasized the importance of public engagement before any formal implementation.
The push to expand the proposed restrictions has sparked debate nationwide. While some Kenyans support the move, viewing it as a necessary step toward curbing addiction, others have raised concerns about its potential economic impact on the alcohol industry, including job losses and reduced tax revenue.
As NACADA prepares for further consultations, the spotlight remains on whether Parliament and police leadership will voluntarily adopt the reforms or wait for formal legislation.