NAIROBI, Kenya — The High Court in Nairobi has temporarily suspended the sale and delivery of alcoholic drinks through online platforms in Nairobi City County unless operators comply with strict licensing, age-verification and access-control requirements.
In orders issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, Justice David Mburu directed e-commerce platforms, online vendors and other parties involved in alcohol sales to meet the prescribed safeguards before offering alcoholic drinks through digital marketplaces.
The orders followed an 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.
The judge certified the application as urgent and granted the second and third prayers on an interim basis, pending the hearing and determination of the application.
Under the directions, all platforms and vendors involved in the online sale or supply of alcoholic drinks must hold the relevant licences and authorisations required by law.
The court further ordered that alcoholic drinks be listed only in separately designated and access-restricted sections of digital platforms.
Access to these sections must be protected through secure customer authentication, such as passwords or personal identification numbers, alongside reliable age-verification systems confirming that users are at least 18 years old.
The safeguards must be completed before customers are allowed to access the alcohol sections.
Court sets conditions for online alcohol purchases and deliveries
The court also directed that customers’ ages be verified before transactions are completed and that recipients undergo a separate age check before alcoholic drinks are handed over or delivered.
The orders further restrict the advertisement, marketing and promotion of alcoholic drinks through hyperlinks, interactive advertisements and other digital mechanisms that direct users to purchasing platforms without first complying with the prescribed authentication and age-verification requirements.
The directions place responsibility on online operators and vendors to ensure that their digital sales processes include safeguards against access and purchases by underage customers.
The court warned that failure to comply with the orders could attract penal consequences.
Nairobi plans tougher regulation of online alcohol trade
The court orders come days after Nairobi City County announced plans to strengthen regulation of the alcohol industry through the proposed Nairobi City County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Bill, 2026.
The proposed legislation seeks to address emerging challenges in the sector, including the growth of online alcohol sales and delivery services.
Trade and Hustler Opportunities Chief Officer Lydia Mathia said the proposed law would bring online alcohol businesses and delivery operators under stronger regulatory oversight while tightening licensing requirements.
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She said the reforms were intended to protect consumers, particularly young people, while ensuring legitimate liquor businesses operate within a transparent and accountable regulatory framework.
Mathia also raised concerns about underage drinking, irresponsible alcohol advertising, counterfeit products and illicit liquor, saying the county intended to strengthen consumer protection and oversight of the alcohol supply chain.
The proposed Bill also seeks to promote responsible drinking, public awareness and rehabilitation support for people struggling with alcohol dependency.
Case returns to court on November 18
Under the court’s directions, the petitioner must serve the orders and other directions on the respondents and interested parties within two days.
The respondents and interested parties have seven days from the date of service to file and serve their responses.
The matter will return to the Milimani High Court on November 18, 2026, for confirmation of compliance and further directions.
Until then, online alcohol sales and deliveries in Nairobi remain subject to the interim conditions imposed by the court.
The application is yet to be determined, meaning the orders do not constitute a final ruling on the legality of online alcohol sales in the county.
