Govt Exposes How Kilimani & Kileleshwa Bars Use Mobile Money to Justify Alcohol for Minors

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has issued a warning to Kenyans selling alcoholic drinks to minors under unscrupulous means.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, December 17,  NACADA revealed that there are some notorious business people dispensing drinks to young people at outlets located inside petrol stations.

According to NACADA, most of the dispensing stations are located inside Nairobi’s posh estates such as Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, and Ngong Road estates.

The authority revealed that a majority of the underage buyers use mobile phones to make purchases from the dispensing outlets.

According to the authority’s survey, most of the sellers, therefore, assume that any buyer with a mobile money wallet is of legal age.

”The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is deeply concerned by reports of minors accessing alcoholic beverages, particularly from dispensing outlets located in petrol stations within Nairobi’s Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, and Ngong Road estates,” NACADA stated in a statement.

”This alarming trend is linked to the increased reliance on mobile money transactions, bypassing the requirement of verifying customers’ ages. This is often premised on the assumption that anyone with mobile money is over 18 years old,” it added.

NACADA warned the distributors that they risked jail terms and fines amounting to Ksh150,000 if found.

”NACADA reminds all alcohol dispensing outlets and the public of the following key provisions under The Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, of 2010,” NACADA warned

”Section 32 (1) of the Act prohibits the sale or supply of alcoholic drinks to individuals under 18 years. Violation of this provision attracts a fine of up to KES 150,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both,” it added.

The authority also reminded alcohol-selling establishments to demand proof of age through valid identification before serving their customers.

Additionally, dispensers have been warned about non-compliance with regulated operating hours, with the authority maintaining that if found then they will be subjected to severe penalties.
including fines, imprisonment, and license revocation.