Court suspends online sale and marketing of alcoholic drinks within Nairobi

Justice David Mburu ordered that, pending further determination, the sale of alcoholic drinks cannot happen without operational licenses and there must be a designated age-restricted section on the platforms.

"Access to that section is conditional upon secure customer authentication through a password, personal identification number or equivalent mechanism, together with reliable verification that the customer is aged eighteen (18) years or above, both requirements being completed before access is permitted," the ruling delivered on Monday reads.

Likewise, the purchaser's age must be verified before completing a transaction, and verified again upon delivery.

The Court further restricted the advertisement and promotion of alcoholic drinks without adhering to the set regulations.

The matter will be mentioned on November 18 to confirm compliance and for further directions.

The orders followed an urgent application filed by David Biketi Wati against the Nairobi City County Government, the Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Board and other parties.

This comes as the Nairobi City County is seeking to tighten regulation of the alcohol industry through the proposed Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Bill, 2026 (Bill No. 3 of 2026).

The Bill targets counterfeit and illicit liquor, underage drinking and irresponsible alcohol distribution and aims to strengthen licensing requirements, enhance consumer protection and introduce stricter oversight of alcohol manufacturers, distributors and retailers.