The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) has declared full support for Kenya’s newly launched National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse.

In a statement signed by Secretary General Rev. Kepha Nyandega and Chairman Bishop Philip Kitoto on August 2, 2025, the religious organization praised NACADA and Interior Ministry-led initiative as urgently needed to address the nation’s substance abuse crisis.

“We applaud the policy’s bold, multi-sectoral approach to confronting the escalating crisis,” the statement read, noting its alignment with their mission to foster “healthy, God-honoring communities.”

The Alliance specifically commended the framework’s focus on vulnerable populations, stating it offers “protection of vulnerable groups especially children and youth from the deceptive influences of harmful substances and their aggressive marketing.”

The Evangelical Alliance of Kenya’s (EAK) endorsement of the new national policy on substance abuse comes amidst a broader, intensifying national debate and a series of recent government actions.

The policy, a collaborative effort by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Ministry of Interior, seeks to introduce sweeping regulations to curb the country’s substance abuse crisis.

Key provisions of the policy have triggered a mix of support and opposition across different sectors. Notably, the new framework proposes raising the minimum legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years and banning celebrity endorsements of alcoholic beverages.

It also aims to restrict the location of bars near residential areas, schools, and places of worship, as well as prohibit the online sale and delivery of alcohol.

While the EAK and other public health advocates view these measures as a vital and overdue step toward protecting the nation’s youth and families, the policy has met strong resistance from the alcohol industry.