The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has launched a major crackdown on bars and liquor outlets located within 300 meters of educational institutions.
The initiative also targets the removal of billboards promoting alcohol situated near schools.
This move comes as part of a broader effort to address the increasing issues of drug and alcohol abuse among the youth, with alarming statistics indicating that the average age of initiation into substance use is just 16 years old.
In March 2024, Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki declared illicit alcohol and drug abuse as a significant national security threat, urging for a more robust response to this escalating crisis.
Nacada’s new measures aim to safeguard young people by eliminating the proximity of alcohol outlets to schools, thereby reducing the accessibility and influence of these substances on students.
The initiative also includes the removal of advertising billboards that could potentially glamorize or promote alcohol consumption among minors.