Kenyan Church Leaders Back Plan to Raise Drinking Age to 21

Kenyan church leaders have endorsed a government-backed proposal by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) that would raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21. The Kenya Coalition of Church Alliances and Ministries (KCCAM) said the measure is necessary to curb what it described as rampant alcohol misuse among young people. At a press briefing in Nairobi on 3 August, the umbrella body also urged authorities to expedite a broader package of NACADA recommendations, including prohibiting online alcohol sales and blocking distribution in supermarkets, restaurants and public-transport vehicles. Church officials argued the steps would prevent underage access, reduce advertising exposure to minors and alleviate social and health burdens linked to excessive drinking. Industry groups have warned the restrictions could cost jobs and disrupt supply chains, but KCCAM leaders maintained that effective enforcement, combined with community engagement, outweighs potential economic drawbacks. The government has not announced a timeline for adopting the proposals, which would require parliamentary approval before taking effect.