NACADA Set For Nationwide Crackdown On Bars, Liquor Billboards Around Schools
Nacada has announced a nationwide crackdown on bars and other liquor dispensing outlets located near educational institutions.
The campaign will also include the removal of billboards advertising alcoholic beverages near educational institutions.
The crackdown is the latest in a series of government initiatives aimed at combating alcohol and drug abuse, particularly among young people.
It is compliant with the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010 and the Alcoholic Drinks Promotion Regulations.
Interior News: @NACADAKenya crackdown on bars and alcoholic billboards near schools https://t.co/sRCeuZmfZL
— Ministry of Interior | Kenya (@InteriorKE) September 1, 2024
All bars and liquor outlets within 300 meters of educational institutions will be closed, and billboards promoting alcohol near schools, removed. Drug use and abuse in the… pic.twitter.com/t3W86wbj07
Nacada CEO Anthony Omerikwa stated that targeted outlets and billboards are those located less than 300 meters from educational institutions or areas catering to people under the age of 18.
“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 stated that the presence of billboards advertising alcohol near schools is a blatant violation of the law.
He argued that the billboards undermine the Nacada campaign against alcohol and drug abuse by normalising alcohol consumption and portraying it as a desirable and glamorous option.
The CEO urged advertising agencies and businesses to demonstrate social responsibility.
Anyone who sells alcoholic beverages in prohibited locations faces legal consequences under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act.
Those found to have violated the law face a fine of up to Sh500,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
This is the Kenya we https://t.co/bg0e3WItNE more Bars and Alcoholic Billboards near schools.Good wirk by @NACADAKenya @InteriorKE pic.twitter.com/fXc3gtECT0
— The Kenya We Want (@KenyaWeWant_) September 2, 2024
Interior PS Raymond Omollo, speaking at the launch of the agency’s Strategic Plan 2023-27 in Nairobi, stated that illicit brew, alcohol, and substance abuse primarily affected youth and were undermining Kenya’s progress.
According to Nacada statistics, the average age at which people begin drinking alcohol in Kenya is 16 years old.
“Drug use and abuse in the country has also been identified to be mostly affecting the youth and our learning institutions.”
On March 6, the government declared illicit alcohol, drug, and substance abuse as a top national security threat.
Omollo stated that the declaration elevated the fight against illicit drugs, necessitating an intensified war against the vice.
NACADA Set For Nationwide Crackdown On Bars, Liquor Billboards Around Schools
