Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced plans to formalise and license traditional alcoholic drinks that meet Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requirements as the government intensifies its nationwide crackdown on illicit alcohol.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, signals a proposed regulatory approach that could allow compliant traditional brewers to operate legally while authorities continue targeting unsafe alcoholic drinks and illegal alcohol distribution networks.
Speaking during a meeting with security agencies at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Kindiki said traditional brews that meet the required quality standards would be formalised and licensed.
“Traditional brews that meet the Kenya Bureau of Standards requirements will be formalised and licensed,” Kindiki said, according to reports of his remarks.
The announcement could have implications for producers of traditional drinks such as busaa, muratina and other locally brewed alcoholic beverages. However, the government has not yet announced the detailed licensing procedure, fees or implementation date.
Government Seeks to Separate Compliant Traditional Brews From Illicit Alcohol
Kenya’s traditional alcoholic drinks have cultural, social and economic significance in different communities. Many are produced using locally available grains, fruits and other ingredients through methods passed down across generations.
However, concerns about unsafe brewing practices, contaminated alcohol and the sale of products that fail health and quality requirements have prompted repeated enforcement operations.
Under the government’s proposed approach, traditional brews that satisfy applicable KEBS standards would be eligible for formal licensing.
The move could provide a pathway for compliant producers to enter the regulated market rather than operate outside the formal system.
Nevertheless, meeting product standards does not automatically exempt producers from other applicable requirements. Manufacturers and sellers may still need to comply with relevant public health rules, business permits, manufacturing requirements and alcohol licensing laws.
The exact obligations will depend on the final regulatory framework and the nature of each business.
What the Proposed Licensing Plan Could Mean for Busaa and Muratina Producers
The announcement is particularly relevant to producers of traditional drinks that have long been part of community celebrations, ceremonies and social gatherings.
Busaa
Busaa is a traditional fermented alcoholic drink commonly associated with communities in western Kenya and parts of the Nyanza region. It is generally made using grains, although preparation methods and ingredients vary between producers.
A formal licensing system could give compliant busaa producers a clearer route towards operating within the regulated economy.
However, producers would need to establish that their products meet the applicable safety and quality standards and fulfil any other licensing conditions introduced under the final framework.
Muratina
Muratina is traditionally associated with the Kikuyu community and is commonly prepared using fruit from the muratina tree as part of the brewing process.
The proposed framework could also create opportunities for muratina producers who can demonstrate compliance with the relevant product standards and other legal requirements.
For both drinks, the practical impact will depend on the standards adopted, the cost of compliance and the accessibility of the licensing process to small-scale producers.
Other Traditional Alcoholic Drinks
The government’s announcement refers broadly to traditional brews that meet KEBS requirements. However, the full list of eligible products has not been published in the reports reviewed.
Producers should therefore avoid assuming that every traditional alcoholic beverage will automatically qualify for licensing.
Kindiki Announces Tougher Measures Against Illicit Alcohol Cartels
The licensing proposal forms part of a broader government campaign targeting the production and distribution of illicit alcohol, including drinks suspected of containing dangerous chemicals.
Kindiki said the government had finalised legislative proposals aimed at tightening controls on manufacturers, distributors and other individuals who facilitate the supply of dangerous alcoholic products.
The proposed measures also seek to strengthen the government’s ability to target the financial networks supporting illicit alcohol and drug cartels.
According to the Deputy President, authorities were pursuing legislation that would allow assets and funds connected to illicit alcohol and drug networks to be seized or confiscated under the applicable legal framework.
The government intends for proceeds recovered through the proposed measures to support rehabilitation programmes for people affected by alcohol and drug addiction.
The detailed legislative provisions, including their precise scope and implementation requirements, will need to be confirmed when the relevant proposals are formally published and processed.
Government Reports 125 Operations Against Illicit Alcohol
Kindiki also reported that multi-agency teams had carried out nine operations targeting illicit ethanol and another 116 operations against illicit brews that did not meet public health and quality standards during the preceding 10 days.
The operations form part of efforts to disrupt the supply chains responsible for manufacturing and distributing unsafe alcoholic drinks.
Ethanol is used in legitimate industrial and commercial applications, but authorities have raised concerns about industrial alcohol being diverted into illegal alcohol production.
The government’s enforcement campaign is intended to strengthen oversight across the supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors and individuals suspected of facilitating illegal production.
Authorities have also established a permanent coordination mechanism at Harambee House Annex to improve cooperation between agencies involved in combating illicit alcohol and drug-related offences.
Why Meeting KEBS Standards Matters
The Kenya Bureau of Standards plays a central role in setting and enforcing product quality requirements in Kenya.
For alcoholic beverages, appropriate standards and quality controls can help address concerns involving product composition, contamination, consistency and consumer safety.
Traditional brewing methods may vary considerably between producers. A formal framework could therefore require producers to demonstrate that their products meet the relevant specifications before receiving the necessary approvals.
Depending on the final requirements, compliance could involve product testing, suitable production facilities, hygiene controls, labelling and other measures.
However, the government has not yet published the full licensing procedure for the proposed traditional-brew framework. These should be treated as possible areas of compliance rather than confirmed requirements for every producer under the new plan.
Consumers should continue to avoid alcoholic products of unknown origin or drinks suspected of being contaminated. Suspected methanol poisoning is a medical emergency and requires immediate hospital treatment.
Will Traditional Brewers Need to Pay for Licences?
The government has not announced specific licence fees, application charges or the exact process that traditional brewers will follow.
It is also not yet clear which agencies will handle each stage of the proposed licensing system or whether special arrangements will be available for small-scale producers.
These details will be important because the cost and complexity of compliance could determine whether informal brewers can realistically transition into the regulated market.
If the framework is accessible and clearly communicated, it could provide legitimate producers with greater certainty about their legal obligations.
However, producers should continue complying with existing laws and county licensing requirements until the relevant authorities announce and implement any changes.
What Traditional Brewers Should Do Next
Traditional brewers interested in operating legally should begin by understanding the regulations that currently apply to their businesses.
Practical steps include:
- Check existing licensing requirements: Confirm the applicable county alcohol licensing rules and any relevant national requirements.
- Review product safety: Maintain hygienic production practices and avoid ingredients or additives that could make the drink unsafe.
- Seek official guidance: Contact KEBS and the relevant county authorities for information about applicable standards and certification.
- Keep business records: Maintain appropriate records of ingredients, production and sales to support compliance where required.
- Monitor official announcements: Wait for the government to publish the proposed licensing procedure, eligibility conditions, fees and implementation timeline.
Producers should be cautious about paying unofficial agents who claim they can provide licences under an announced system that has not yet been fully explained.
What Happens Next?
The next important development will be the publication of the detailed rules governing the proposed licensing arrangement.
Traditional brewers, county governments, regulators and consumers will need clarity on the applicable standards, enforcement responsibilities and procedures for obtaining the necessary approvals.
The government will also need to explain how the proposed licensing framework will operate alongside existing alcohol control laws.
For now, Kindiki’s announcement indicates an intention to distinguish traditional brews that meet recognised standards from products manufactured or sold illegally.
Whether the proposal leads to a workable route for small-scale producers will depend on the final rules and how they are implemented across the country.
Conclusion
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced plans to formalise and license traditional alcoholic drinks that meet KEBS requirements as part of a wider campaign against illicit alcohol in Kenya.
The proposal could create opportunities for compliant busaa, muratina and other traditional brew producers to operate within a regulated market while strengthening consumer protection.
However, the announcement does not mean that all traditional brews are already licensed or that the new framework is fully operational. Producers should continue following existing laws while awaiting official details about the proposed system.
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