Sakaja's Cabinet approves Nairobi Liquor Act 2024 to enhance alcohol regulation

 

Nairobi Governor Johnstone Sakaja[File, Standard]

The Nairobi City County government cabinet has approved amendments to the Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Act 2014 and endorsed the Nairobi City County Liquor Act 2024.

This new legislation addresses regulatory gaps, aligns with the Constitution, and provides a modern framework for managing Nairobi’s dynamic alcoholic drinks industry.

“While Nairobi previously adopted the national law with minimal changes, the 2024 Act is specifically tailored to address the city’s unique challenges, ensuring improved regulation, enforcement, and public health outcomes,” Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed.

The Nairobi Liquor Act 2024 introduces a centralized registry to monitor all alcohol-related businesses, incorporating both electronic and manual systems for governance and oversight. 

It mandates the display of health and legal warning signs at alcohol outlets and prohibits sales through vending machines to prevent access by minors. A Liquor Licensing Board is established to oversee policy implementation and manage appeals, while sub-county committees are tasked with processing licensing applications and ensuring compliance at the local level.

“The revised legislation enhances Nairobi’s capacity to regulate alcohol through clear, enforceable policies,” the city boss stated.

This modernized framework balances economic growth with public health and safety, setting a benchmark for urban alcohol regulation in Kenya.

Mobility enforcement

Meanwhile, the County Cabinet this week approved the establishment of the Mobility Enforcement Unit (MEU). This newly created unit aims to address pressing issues such as traffic congestion, illegal parking, and enforcement gaps in the transport sector.

The MEU will operationalise key provisions of the Nairobi City County Transport Act, 2020, and streamline enforcement efforts across the Mobility and Works Sector.

“It will centralize the regulation of public road transport, motorcycle operations (boda bodas and tuk-tuks), traffic management, and parking,” Sakaja confirmed.

The unit’s primary objectives include eliminating illegal parking, reducing disruptive street activities, and improving traffic flow across the city’s busy streets.

The MEU will comprise four specialized units: the Public Transport Unit, the Traffic Marshal Unit, the Motorcycle Transport Unit, and the County Parking Unit.

“The Public Transport Unit will be responsible for regulating matatus and other public service vehicles to ensure compliance with traffic laws, while the Traffic Marshal Unit (TMU) will be tasked with managing traffic flow and addressing congestion hotspots,” Sakaja explained.

He added that the Motorcycle Transport Unit (MTU) will focus on ensuring the safe and compliant operations of boda bodas and tuk-tuks, while the County Parking Unit (CPU) will oversee parking and eliminate illegal practices.

The establishment of the MEU will utilize existing county resources, ensuring no additional financial burden on taxpayers. The centralized structure aims to enhance operational efficiency, boost urban mobility, and support Nairobi’s economic growth, environmental sustainability, and livability.

To ensure the MEU achieves its mandate, the county government has approved the deployment of 360 enforcement officers. These officers will bolster the unit’s capacity, enabling it to effectively address Nairobi’s longstanding transport challenges. [Jael Musumba]