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Medical professionals and public health experts in Kenya are raising the alarm over rising levels of harmful alcohol use, warning that excessive drinking is contributing to a surge in liver disease, mental health problems, and social harms. According to leading hepatologists, alcohol-related liver complications — such as cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis — are becoming more common, particularly among young and middle-aged adults. The trend, they argue, is driven both by increased availability of cheap alcoholic drinks and by accumulating stress in post-pandemic economic life.
According to a Punchline Health report citing the Kenya Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (No.4 of 2010), there is insufficient enforcement of regulations around licensing hours, advertising, and outlet density. Experts argue that the lack of enforcement is pushing up consumption rates and undermining the Act’s protective purpose. Public health advocates are now calling for stronger licensing controls, stricter limits on where and when alcohol can be sold, and tighter regulation of marketing — especially for youth-targeted products like flavored spirits.
Health advocates also warn about the social and economic costs of widespread alcohol misuse. A recent survey by a national NGO found that families dealing with alcohol dependency often face severe financial stress, domestic violence, and mental health crises. Experts say this calls for not just regulation but also better access to addiction treatment and rehabilitation services — particularly at the county level, where many public rehab centres are underfunded.
To address the problem, experts are urging a multi-sector strategy. Recommendations include expanding community-based alcohol harm-reduction programs, increasing public awareness campaigns about the risks of excessive drinking, and integrating screening for unhealthy alcohol use into primary health care. They also stress the importance of linking alcohol misuse prevention with mental wellness and economic empowerment programs, to address it as both a health and societal issue.