Alcohol Abuse in Kenya: Grim statistics and a call for bold reforms

Stakeholders duirng the Alcohol Control Policy Roundtable and the launch of Alcohol Harm Testimonies in Kisumu. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kenya’s battle with alcohol harm is as widespread as it is devastating.

This was revealed in Kisumu recently when the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) and Students Campaign Against Drugs (SCAD) convened a pivotal Alcohol Control Policy Roundtable and the launch of Alcohol Harm Testimonies.

This gathering, which drew experts, policymakers, and affected individuals, sought to shine a light on Kenya's escalating alcohol abuse crisis and propose actionable solutions to address it.

Data from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) paints a grim picture. Over 12.2% of Kenyans between the ages of 15 and 65 consume alcohol regularly, with 10.4% grappling with alcohol use disorders.

Shockingly, this crisis takes root early, with the average age of onset being 11 years, and, in extreme cases, as young as four years. These figures underscore a growing public health emergency that is claiming lives, wrecking families, and impeding national development.

The roundtable in Kisumu brought these statistics to life through poignant and emotional testimonies from those whose lives have been irrevocably altered by alcohol abuse. A mother recounted her heartbreak as her son, once a promising student, succumbed to peer pressure in secondary school and spiraled into addiction.

His dependency on alcohol fractured their family, drained their finances, and extinguished his future. Stories like hers echoed throughout the event, each one illustrating the far-reaching human toll of a crisis that transcends mere numbers.

IILA, in its comprehensive report Addressing Alcohol Harm in Kenya: Saving Our Country, did not shy away from the grim realities. Alcohol-related harm contributes to more than 14,000 deaths annually in Kenya and is responsible for 40.7% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in the country.

It is a silent driver of domestic violence, suicides, road accidents, and even child abuse. These tragedies are compounded by a society that increasingly normalizes alcohol consumption, with aggressive marketing campaigns portraying drinking as glamorous while concealing the devastating consequences.

The alcohol industry, according to IILA, has prioritized profits over public health, with minimal accountability for the harm caused by their products. The institute called for bold policy reforms to reverse these trends.

Among their recommendations is the establishment of a solatium compensatory levy on alcohol manufacturers and importers, calculated at 2% of all alcohol produced or imported into Kenya. These funds, they argued, should be ringfenced to mitigate the harm caused by alcohol consumption, including funding health research and community awareness campaigns.

Another urgent recommendation was an increase in alcohol taxes, with specific thresholds for beverages based on their alcohol content. IILA proposed a minimum tax of Sh35 per centilitre for drinks with less than 7% alcohol and Sh20 per centilitre for stronger beverages.

These measures aim to curb excessive consumption while generating resources to address the public health crisis.

Tackling alcohol advertising also emerged as a central focus. With children and youth increasingly targeted through digital platforms, IILA called for a total ban on online alcohol marketing and promotions.

They argued that the glamorization of alcohol consumption on social media perpetuates a dangerous narrative that must be dismantled.

NACADA echoed these concerns, emphasizing the multi-sectoral nature of the challenge. The agency reiterated its commitment to coordinating efforts to combat alcohol and drug abuse across the country.

It highlighted the importance of community-driven initiatives and awareness campaigns, particularly targeting schools and vulnerable populations.

NACADA’s findings that alcohol has the highest prevalence among secondary school students at 3.8% were a sobering reminder of the urgency to protect young Kenyans from falling into the grip of addiction.

The Kisumu event was more than just a platform for data and discussion; it was a call to action. The voices of those directly affected by alcohol harm, combined with the stark evidence presented by IILA and NACADA, left no doubt that Kenya is at a crossroads.

As one participant passionately declared, “We cannot sit by as an entire generation is lost to alcohol. The time to act is now.”

The proposed measures, from stricter taxation to curbs on advertising, are not just policy recommendations but lifelines for a country on the brink. However, implementing these reforms requires political will, corporate accountability, and sustained community engagement. The fight against alcohol harm is not one that can be won overnight, but it is a battle that Kenya must face with courage and determination.

As the roundtable drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of urgency among the participants. The testimonies, data, and proposals presented in Kisumu resonated deeply, serving as a powerful reminder that the cost of inaction is too great to bear. The message was clear: saving Kenya from the devastating grip of alcohol harm is not just a health imperative but a moral obligation to safeguard future generations.