Kenya’s Murkomen Backs Plan to Lift Drinking Age to 21

Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has thrown his full support behind a National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse proposal that would raise the legal drinking age to 21 from the current 18 and impose sweeping new marketing restrictions on the alcohol industry. Speaking in Kajiado on 2 August, Murkomen accused church leaders and alcohol companies of refusing to back efforts to curb substance abuse, arguing that firms should not "make profit from children aged 18–20." He also rebuked gospel musician Reuben Kigame, who has filed a court petition against senior officials over unrelated matters, for remaining silent on underage drinking. The draft rules would ban public figures from endorsing alcohol, prohibit advertising during watershed hours and at events involving youth, and outlaw price promotions such as free samples and discounts. Industry groups and sports organisations say the curbs could slash sponsorship revenues and jeopardise events, while supporters frame the measures as necessary to protect public health.