The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has expressed concerns after reports emerged that minors were accessing alcoholic beverages in different parts of the country.
In a statement dated Tuesday, December 17, NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa said the authority had received reports that minors were accessing alcohol, particularly from dispensing outlets located in petrol stations within Nairobi’s Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani and Ngong Road estates.
“This alarming trend is linked to the increased reliance on mobile money transactions, bypassing the requirement of verifying customers’ ages,” Dr Omerikwa said. “This is often premised on the assumption that anyone with mobile money is over 18 years old.”
The authority is now sounding a warning to all alcohol dispensing outlets and the public to adhere to key provisions of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010.
Under the Act, selling alcohol to minors (individuals under 18 years) is strictly prohibited. A violation of this provision attracts a fine of up to KSh150,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
The Act also calls for mandatory and proper identification and age verification of customers. This means that operators of alcohol-selling establishments to demand proof of age through valid identification before serving a customer.
Section 12 of the same Act provides for prescribed operating hours for alcohol outlets as determined by respective County Alcoholic Drinks Control Committees. Operating outside these hours constitutes an offence.
“As we approach the festive season, NACADA reiterates its commitment to protecting Kenyans, particularly the youth. The Authority will conduct nationwide crackdowns in collaboration with other enforcement agencies to ensure strict adherence to the law,” Dr Omerikwa.
