NAIROBI, Kenya—Kenyans have until November 23, 2026, to submit their views on proposed legislation seeking to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, tighten alcohol distribution controls and introduce sweeping restrictions on tobacco and nicotine products.
The Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs Control Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, proposes amendments to three laws governing alcoholic drinks, pharmaceutical products and tobacco control.
The Bill was read for the First Time on November 5 and referred to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security for consideration before reporting back to the National Assembly.
According to a notice issued by National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge, members of the public and interested stakeholders have been invited to submit memoranda on the proposed changes.
Among the key proposals is the establishment of a National Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee, which would oversee the licensing of alcohol manufacturers and importers, coordinate regulatory agencies and introduce a digital tracking system to monitor alcoholic drinks from manufacturing or importation through distribution to consumers.
The Bill also proposes establishing County Alcoholic Drinks Licensing Committees to oversee the licensing of alcohol sellers.
A compensatory levy would be imposed on alcohol manufacturers and importers, with the proceeds intended to finance the operations of the proposed national committee and civil society programmes involved in preventing and managing alcohol and drug abuse.
The proposed legislation further seeks to prohibit alcohol sales through online platforms, courier services, home deliveries, vending machines and hawking.
It also proposes restricting the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks in specified public places, including educational institutions, medical facilities, recreational facilities and public transport stops and stations.
Other proposed measures include barring public officers responsible for enforcing alcohol and drug control laws from holding alcohol licences directly or through proxies, prohibiting sales to people carrying offensive weapons and restricting the transportation of alcoholic drinks between 6am and 6pm.
Vehicles transporting alcoholic drinks would also be required to display clear and visible branding, while existing licence holders would be granted a three-month transition period.
Beyond alcohol regulation, the Bill proposes stricter controls on the manufacture, importation, exportation and distribution of pharmaceutical products and poisons. Manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters dealing in poisons would be required to maintain distribution lists and supply records for at least two years.
A digital tracking system for health products is also proposed to monitor their movement from manufacturing or importation to delivery to consumers.
On tobacco control, the proposed amendments seek to prohibit the manufacture, sale, use, advertisement, promotion and distribution of nicotine pouches and shisha. The Bill would also prohibit the purchase of tobacco products from children.
The public participation exercise is being conducted in accordance with Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution, which requires Parliament to facilitate public involvement in its legislative and other activities. National Assembly Standing Order 127(3) also requires committees considering Bills to facilitate public participation.
Members of the public and stakeholders have been invited to submit written memoranda to the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security through the Clerk of the National Assembly.
Copies of the Bill are available at the National Assembly Table Office at the Main Parliament Buildings or through the Parliament website at www.parliament.go.ke/the-national-assembly/house-business/bills.
Submissions can be sent by post to P.O. Box 41842-00100, Nairobi, delivered by hand to the Office of the Clerk at the Main Parliament Buildings, or emailed to cna@parliament.go.ke.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, November 23, 2026, at 5pm, according to the parliamentary notice.
The proposed amendments are still subject to parliamentary consideration and have not yet become law.
