Court Suspends Online Alcohol Sales in Nairobi, Sets New Age Verification Rules

Online liquor traders in Nairobi are now subject to strict new regulations after the High Court mandated digital platforms to implement age-verification systems, restrict access to alcohol listings, and secure proper licenses before conducting sales or deliveries.

In interim orders issued on Monday, November 9, Justice David Mburu suspended all online alcohol sales and deliveries within Nairobi City County unless operators meet the court’s specific conditions. The ruling applies to e-commerce apps, websites, and other digital marketplaces engaged in the sale and supply of alcoholic beverages.

Under the directive, vendors must hold all legally required licenses. Furthermore, alcohol products must be confined to distinct, access-restricted sections of digital platforms. Customers must pass secure authentication such as a password or PIN to view these sections, and platforms must deploy reliable age-verification tools to confirm users are at least 18.

These age checks extend to the point of sale and delivery: a buyer’s age must be verified before a transaction is finalised, and the recipient’s age must be independently confirmed upon handover. The court also banned digital advertising and marketing including hyperlinks and interactive ads that direct users to purchasing platforms without adhering to these authentication and age-check protocols.

The orders stem from an urgent application filed by David Biketi Wati against the Nairobi City County Government and the county’s Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Board. The judge certified the application as urgent and granted the interim pending a full hearing.

This judicial intervention coincides with Nairobi County’s push to tighten industry regulations through the proposed Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Bill, 2026. The petitioner must serve the orders within two days, after which respondents have seven days to file their responses.