National Government Administration and the Implementation of Illicit Alcohol Control Policies in Mombasa County, Kenya
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Date
2025-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Illicit alcohol remains a persistent public health and governance challenge in Kenya, particularly in densely populated urban areas where informal settlements, weak regulatory oversight, and economic vulnerability create fertile environments for illegal production and distribution. Changamwe Sub-County has experienced repeated incidents of illicit alcohol-related harm despite the presence of a strong legal framework. This study examined how the National Government Administration tackles the sources of illicit alcohol, regulates venues used for its consumption, and the challenges they encounter in Changamwe Sub-County.The study was guided by Agency Theory and Street-Level Bureaucracy Theory, which explain the role of frontline administrators and the structural constraints affecting enforcement. A descriptive research design was adopted. The target population comprised 379 enforcement actors drawn from NGAOs, Village Elders, Ward Administrators, Nyumba Kumi members, NACADA officers, and county enforcement personnel. A sample of 191 respondents was selected using stratified, simple random, and purposive sampling. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings show that the National Government Administration primarily tackles illicit alcohol sources through the application of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act and community sensitization efforts. Regarding illicit alcohol venues, they were mostly tackled through raids by National Government Administrative Officers. The study further found that Enforcement challenges—particularly conflict of interest and conflicting roles of the actors significantly undermined effective implementation of alcohol control activities. The study concludes that while NGAOs employ multiple strategies to curb illicit alcohol, their effectiveness is constrained by resource limitations, interference, and community resistance. It recommends strengthening inter-agency coordination, increasing logistical support, enhancing community engagement, and protecting enforcement officers from political influence to improve alcohol control outcomes.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts & Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration of Kenyatta University, November 2025.
Supervisor
1. Felix Kiruthu