Kenyan artist and Sauti Sol band member Bien-Aimé Baraza has taken a strong stance against the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) over their recent proposal to tighten regulations on alcohol and betting. In an impactful Instagram story, Bien criticized the agency’s plan to ban alcohol advertising, online sales, and raise the legal drinking age to 21.
NACADA’s move, which follows the government’s recent crackdown on betting ads, has received mixed reactions. While the agency claims the goal is to protect young people from harmful influences, Bien believes the true victims are the country’s creative and advertising sectors.
“These bans heavily affect the creative and advertising industries. What is this fake morality?” he questioned. “They pretend to care about the very youth they’re harming. Are we the first country to have these problems? Then we wonder why unemployment is so high!”
Bien’s comments have sparked a discussion online, with fans and fellow creatives sharing his concerns. Many believe that while it’s crucial to regulate harmful content, outright bans on advertising alcohol and betting could do more damage than good, especially in a struggling economy.
Kenya’s entertainment industry often relies on partnerships with alcohol and betting brands to fund events, sponsorships, and influencer marketing. Bien argues that removing these revenue streams could hurt the industry and increase the already high levels of youth unemployment.
