Kenyans Under 21 Could Be Barred from Buying Alcohol Under Proposed Law

Kenyans below the age of 21 could soon be barred from buying and consuming alcoholic drinks if a proposed law before Parliament is passed into law.

The Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs Control Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was read for the first time in the National Assembly on Thursday, November 5, introduces a sweeping ban on digital sales channels, including home deliveries, courier services and online platforms.

Beyond shutting down virtual alcohol sales, the legislation outlaws hawking and vending machines, while prohibiting licensed bars and outlets from operating within 300 metres of any learning institution. Licensed premises will also be barred from admitting anyone under 21 years old.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah told the House that raising the legal age limit from 18 to 21 is necessary to protect young people from the harms of early alcohol exposure. He said many 18-year-olds are still too young to make sound personal choices, acknowledging that the move would likely draw pushback from manufacturers.

To enforce these restrictions, the Bill establishes a National Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee to oversee regulatory enforcement and manage licensing for both manufacturers and importers.

The operations will be funded by a new Ksh2-per-litre levy on all locally manufactured and imported alcoholic drinks. Half of the revenue generated from the levy will support the committee's daily operations, while at least 15 per cent will go toward funding civil society anti-drug initiatives.

During the floor debate, Dadaab MP Farah Maalim supported the push for tighter controls but criticized the draft for omitting other widely used stimulants. He questioned why the Bill focused solely on alcohol while excluding miraa and muguka, arguing that those substances require similar state regulation and expressing a preference for a complete ban on alcohol.

The proposed law significantly raises the financial and legal risks for non-compliance. First-time offenders and businesses violating the revised provisions face penalties of up to Ksh10 million in fines, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.