Nyando MP Jared Okello has defended the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) amid growing criticism over its recent crackdown on the alcohol trade. He said the agency’s enforcement measures are not designed to punish legitimate business owners, but to combat what he called a deepening national crisis.
MP Okello warned that Kenya is confronting a widespread addiction problem that demands firm and lawful intervention.
“NACADA is trying to solve a societal problem, not destroy businesses,” MP Okello said. “We are facing a serious wave of alcoholism, stress, and dependency, especially among our youth. Rehabilitation centers are opening everywhere. These rules are meant to protect lives, not kill enterprises.”
His remarks follow public backlash over NACADA’s tough enforcement of licensing rules and restrictions that banned sale of alcohol in supermarket outlets. Many operators have accused the agency of exceeding its legal mandate and threatening livelihoods.
MP Okello acknowledged those concerns, stressing that while the agency’s intentions may be valid, any directive with the force of law must undergo parliamentary review.
“Whether it is a regulation or an Act of Parliament, it must come before the House,” MP Okello said. “That is why we have the Delegated Legislation Committee. You cannot allow state agencies to create their own laws and impose them on citizens without oversight.”
He emphasized that public participation is not optional in the legislative process. Citing previous court decisions, he warned that any law lacking broad public input risks invalidation.
“Public participation is not just a checkbox,” MP Okello said. “It has to be both quantitative and qualitative. You must show how many people contributed and whether their feedback actually shaped the outcome.”
Drawing on past policy shifts, MP Okello compared NACADA’s current actions to the once-controversial ban on smoking in public spaces. He noted that despite early fears of damage to the tobacco industry, businesses adapted to the new law.
“At one point, it became illegal to smoke anywhere in public, and many feared that would destroy cigarette companies,” MP Okello said. “But what happened? Smoking just moved to designated areas. The industry and the public adjusted.”
Okello maintained that the urgency of tackling substance abuse should not be lost in the debate over regulation.
“We must protect our people,” MP Okello reiterated. “Alcohol addiction is ruining families. If NACADA’s rules can help change that, let us refine the laws and not discard them. This is about saving lives.”
The Tobacco Control Board and other health stakeholders have also raised alarm over the growing number of underage and youth users caught up in alcohol and drug use. Recent data shows a sharp increase in reported addiction cases among teens and young adults, especially in urban and peri-urban areas.
MP Okello called on Parliament to step in with clear guidance and legal backing for NACADA’s enforcement, while urging transparency and proper engagement with affected stakeholders.
“We must fix the gaps and bring clarity,” MP okello said. “But we cannot sit back and pretend the addiction problem isn’t real. There is a generation at stake.”
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