Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dropped a policy bombshell that could reshape Kenya’s social fabric. Citing a "national catastrophe" of alcoholism, the CS has proposed raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years, arguing that the youth are being decimated by early exposure to ethanol.

The proposal comes on the back of a shocking NACADA report revealing that 4.9 million Kenyans are currently struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. The statistic represents nearly 10% of the population, a figure Murkomen termed "unacceptable for a developing nation."

"We Are Losing a Generation"

"The brain does not fully develop until the age of 25," Murkomen argued, citing neuroscientific data. "By allowing 18-year-olds to drink, we are arresting their development and setting them up for a lifetime of dependency." The CS drew parallels with the United States, where the federal drinking age is 21, credited with reducing drunk-driving fatalities.

• The Industry Pushback: The proposal has immediately drawn fire from the alcohol industry and bar owners. "You can vote at 18, join the army at 18, but you cannot buy a beer?" asked the chair of the Pubs, Entertainment, and Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK). They warn that such a move would drive drinking underground, fueling the illicit brew market.
• The Enforcement Nightmare: Critics also point to the logistical challenge. In a country where ID checks are lax, raising the age limit might be symbolic at best. "We cannot even enforce the current laws on closing times," noted a senior police officer.

A Broad Assault on Vices

This proposal is part of a broader, aggressive campaign by the Ministry of Interior to clean up the streets. Alongside the age limit, Murkomen announced a crackdown on "wines and spirits" outlets near schools and bus termini. "We must choose between tax revenue from beer and the future of our children," he declared. "I choose the children."