Nacada to shut bars, pull down liquor billboards near schools

Nacada has announced a nationwide crackdown to close down bars and other liquor dispensing outlets located near learning institutions.

The campaign will also involve the removal of billboards promoting alcoholic drinks near learning institutions.

The crackdown is the latest in a series of other government initiatives aimed at arresting alcohol and drug abuse, especially among the youth.

It's in line with the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010 and the Alcoholic Drinks Promotion Regulations.

Nacada CEO Anthony Omerikwa said targeted outlets and billboards are those located less than 300 meters from learning institutions or areas catering to individuals below 18 years.

“The crackdown will be executed in collaboration with relevant National and county government agencies and seeks to ensure strict compliance with legal requirements about the positioning of such outlets,” he said.

Omerikwa said the presence of billboards advertising alcohol near schools is in blantant violation of the law.

He pointed out that the billboards undermine the Nacada campaign against alcohol and drug abuse by normalising the consumption of alcohol and portraying it as an appealing and glamorous choice.

The CEO called on advertising agencies and businesses to exercise social responsibility.

The Alcoholic Drinks Control Act provides a legal liability to any person who sells alcoholic drinks in prohibited locations.

It stipulates a fine not exceeding Sh500,000 or imprisonment to a jail term not exceeding three years, or both to those found to have violated the law.

Speaking while launching the agency’s Strategic Plan 2023-27 in Nairobi, Interior PS Raymond Omollo said illicit brew, alcohol, and substance abuse had mostly affected the youth and was undermining Kenya's progress.

Citing Nacada statistics, Omollo said the average age for initiation into alcohol use in Kenya is 16 years.

“Drug use and abuse in the country has also been identified to be mostly affecting the youth and our learning institutions.”

The government on March 6 declared illicit alcohol, drug and substance abuse a top national security threat.

Omollo said the declaration meant the fight against illicit drugs had been given elevated significance necessitating intensified war against the vice.