Stowelink Foundation joins partners and advocates across Kenya in celebrating a major milestone — the announcement of the new national alcohol control policy, unveiled during the recent NCD Alliance Kenya (NCDAK) quarterly meeting.

This policy achievement reflects years of coordinated advocacy, research, and community mobilization by a coalition of public health organizations, including the Foundation. Representing Stowelink Foundation at the NCDAK meeting was Ogweno Stephen and Oduor Kevin, who has been an active contributor to Kenya’s alcohol control movement through youth-focused advocacy and policy engagement.

A Victory for Youth and Community Health

The new policy introduces transformative measures such as:

• Raising the legal drinking age to 21 years
• Restricting alcohol sales in public spaces
• Implementing stronger community protection measures against harmful drinking

These reforms mark a crucial step toward reducing alcohol-related harm — a key risk factor for NCDs — and safeguarding Kenya’s youth from preventable health risks.

From Advocacy to Action

Stowelink Foundation has long championed evidence-based NCD prevention, including the Drug-Free Youth Project and other public education initiatives aimed at reducing substance use. This policy win is a direct outcome of that sustained advocacy.

As implementation begins, the Foundation emphasizes the need for strong enforcement, public awareness, and community participation to ensure the policy delivers meaningful impact.

This milestone is not only a success for Kenya’s health system but also a testament to the power of collaborative, youth-led health advocacy in shaping national policy.