Dennis Itumbi Urges NACADA to Involve Public in Alcohol Policy Talks, Warns of Harm to Digital Economy
Dennis Itumbi, the Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, has called out NACADA for proposing sweeping restrictions on alcohol sales and advertisements, without what he says is meaningful public consultation.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, July 30, Itumbi urged the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to involve Kenyans and stakeholders through public participation before making radical policy changes.
At the heart of the dispute is NACADA’s new National Policy for the Prevention, Management and Control of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse 2025. The proposal includes bans on alcohol advertising by content creators, a move Itumbi warns could destabilize the fast-growing digital economy.
“Content creators are not just influencers; they’re entrepreneurs, digital advertisers, and job creators. Kenya’s digital economy is young and growing,” said Itumbi.
He further emphasized that while regulation is necessary, the authority must strike a balance. “Regulation is necessary, maybe mandatory, but NACADA must engage, not silence. We need smart, inclusive policy, not blanket bans,” he added.
Other sweeping recommendations in the draft policy include banning alcohol sales in supermarkets, residential areas, restaurants, basic and higher education institutions, and even at hotels, clubs, beaches, amusement parks, public parks, and petrol stations. It also proposes raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years.
The proposals have sparked a national debate, with critics arguing that NACADA overlooked the economic impact of such broad restrictions.
In response to the backlash, NACADA issued a statement clarifying that these proposals are not final and will undergo a full public consultation process.
“Any proposal that requires legal backing will undergo a thorough law review process, which will be transparent and inclusive. Most importantly, public participation will be central to this process,” the statement read.
NACADA reiterated that views from citizens, businesses, and interest groups will be considered before any policies are implemented.
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