FAKE MORALITY: BIEN CRITICISES NACADA’S PLAN TO RAISE DRINKING AGE TO 21

Popular musician Bien Baraza has criticised the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) over its newly proposed regulations aimed at curbing alcohol consumption in Kenya. 

The measures, which include raising the legal drinking age to 21, banning online alcohol sales, and imposing strict advertising restrictions.

In a statement, Bien questioned the government’s approach, saying: “NACADA now proposes banning alcohol advertising, online sales, and wants to change the legal drinking age to 21. The government recently banned betting ads. These bans affect the creative and advertising industries heavily. What is this fake morality? Pretending to care about the very youth they’re killing. Are we the first country to have these vices? Then we wonder why unemployment is so rampant!“

The proposed regulations are part of the 2025 National Policy on Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse, which seeks to address rising addiction rates and underage drinking. Key measures include: Raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21, banning online alcohol sales and home deliveries. Prohibiting alcohol outlets within 300 meters of schools, churches, and residential areas. Strict controls on alcohol advertising, including bans on outdoor ads, social media promotions, and celebrity endorsements. Alcohol containers will also be required to mandatory health warnings on all alcohol packaging.