By Shadrack Nyakoe
The Nairobi County Assembly has concluded public participation hearings on the proposed Nairobi County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2026, a new law aimed at regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol within the city.
Speaking at the close of the session, Clarence Munga thanked stakeholders for their active involvement, assuring residents and industry players that all submissions would be carefully reviewed before the committee prepares its final report.
“As we bring this session to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the immense engagement we have witnessed here today,” Munga said.
He noted that the bill had undergone extensive discussions before being committed to the committee for further consideration, adding that public input would play a critical role in shaping the final legislation.
“I want to assure everyone present and those following the proceedings remotely that your input is not a mere formality. Every perspective matters and every concern will be weighed with the seriousness it deserves,” he stated.
Munga emphasized that public participation remains a cornerstone of democracy and urged Kenyans to continue engaging in legislative processes whenever called upon.
The proposed bill seeks to address concerns surrounding zoning, noise pollution, licensing and alcohol consumption within Nairobi, amid increasing calls for tighter regulation of the sector.
Among stakeholders who appeared before the committee was Michael Muthami, who said the hospitality industry supports efforts to streamline the sector and combat illicit alcohol.
“We are discussing how we can protect our members’ interests while making Nairobi a place where people can have a drink in peace,” Muthami said.
He added that the association supports measures aimed at making Nairobi “cleaner, better and more dignified,” particularly through addressing issues such as noise pollution and zoning disputes.
However, Muthami raised concerns over what he termed as gaps in the proposed legislation, arguing that some sections remain vague and could create uncertainty for investors.
“We found the bill a bit vague because it does not clearly address some issues that would make investors feel secure,” he said.
He urged the committee to incorporate some regulatory provisions directly into the legislation rather than leaving them to annual Finance Acts, saying this would provide business owners with predictability and confidence when investing in Nairobi.
The committee is now expected to retreat and review all submissions before tabling its final report before the County Assembly for consideration.
