County Liquor Boards Push for Single National Alcohol Law at Mombasa Conference

Stakeholders in Kenya’s alcoholic beverages industry have called for a single national law to govern liquor regulation across all counties.

They argue that differences in county-level rules create confusion for businesses and weaken enforcement. The call came during the 2nd Annual Liquor Licensing and Control Boards Conference 2026 in Mombasa County.

Representatives from county liquor boards, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and national agencies attended the three-day meeting.

Julius Awino, Chairman of the Caucus of Liquor Licensing and Control Boards of Kenya (CLLCBK), said alcohol licensing Kenya counties must operate on one shared framework to be effective.

“Right now, different counties have different rules,” said Michael Kirago Mudhami, National Chairman of the Pubs, Entertainment, Restaurants Association of Kenya (PERAK).

“If I open a business in Nairobi and another branch in Mombasa, I want to be sure we are working on the same platform.”

License Fees Must Fund Rehabilitation, Boards Urge

In addition to the push for uniform laws, stakeholders called on county governments to ring-fence revenue from liquor licences. They want the funds directed to alcohol addiction rehabilitation centres rather than treated as general revenue.

Awino said most counties have already made this shift. However, he urged the Council of Governors to ensure all counties follow suit.

“We want all the money that liquor boards are collecting to be liquor funds, ring-fenced to help the community be it rehabilitation centres or programs to help anybody affected by alcohol,” Mudhami added.

Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, who attended the conference, backed the call. He said regulation of alcohol licensing Kenya counties cannot be approached as a revenue issue alone.

“Effective control, enforcement, and responsible licensing are critical in preventing social deterioration, protecting young people, and safeguarding communities from the growing burden of addiction,” Nassir said.

Industry Worth Sh145 Billion in Annual Tax Revenue

Meanwhile, industry representatives pushed back against the idea that tighter regulation should come at the expense of the sector’s economic contribution.

Suleiman Ngondi, representing the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK), said the industry employs a large number of Kenyans and contributes about Sh145 billion in annual tax revenue.

“We just want the laws to be balanced and to consider all sides,” Ngondi said. “They should protect the citizen from excessive consumption and also consider the economy.”

Isaac Onyoni, Director of Trade at Homa Bay County Government, said delegates had gathered to share best practices. He said the goal was to ensure alcohol sales and distribution are well-regulated without harming businesses or communities.

“Our job is to make sure it is regulated in a way that nobody is harmed,” Onyoni said.

National Government Must Act on Supply, Governor Warns

However, Nassir warned that county-level rehabilitation efforts face an uphill battle without national government action on supply chains.

He called for coordinated action across both levels of government. He also urged faith leaders, families, schools, health institutions, and the private sector to work together.

“The National Government must come in more heavily on the question of supply, enforcement against illegal distribution networks, and the unchecked flow of harmful substances into our communities,” he said.

Illicit alcohol was also identified as a key challenge during the conference. Awino said the alcohol licensing Kenya counties framework must include stronger data-sharing tools.

He said boards need to know exactly which bars are operating and where before issuing any licence.

The conference brought together the CLLCBK, ABAK, PERAK, the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA), and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), among other stakeholders.