On Nov 13, the Kenya Transporters Association warned that a clause in the Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs Control Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 may threaten up to KSh14.6bn of yearly freight earnings.
The group says the bill would confine the transport of alcoholic drinks to a 12-hour period between 6 am and 6 pm, a restriction they claim would upset long-haul freight that depends on continuous movement through ports, customs, warehouses, weighbridges and border crossings.
According to KTA’s early calculations, freight linked to alcohol sustains about 7,500 direct jobs, produces KSh43.9bn in annual revenue and involves roughly 3,000 trucks operating within Kenya and to neighbouring countries.
The association projects that the limitation could shrink transport capacity by between 14.3 per cent and 33.3 per cent, potentially putting between KSh6.3bn and KSh14.6bn of revenue at risk.
Chairman Newton Wang’oo said the association backs actions against illegal alcohol but insists that measures should focus on criminal networks rather than compliant carriers. He added that curbing legitimate cargo movement would disturb supply chains, jeopardise employment and raise operating costs while achieving little against unlawful operators.
Transporters also contend that the restriction could erode the competitiveness of the Northern Corridor, the main trade artery linking the Port of Mombasa with landlocked neighbours such as Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
KTA is urging Parliament to revisit extra licensing rules and clauses that could make carriers liable for offences committed by third parties.
The lobby proposes the use of digital cargo traceability systems and intelligence-driven enforcement as alternatives, arguing these would enable authorities to monitor lawful shipments while concentrating on criminal activity.
It also seeks safeguards for transporters against liability when offences occur despite reasonable due diligence, and calls for broader stakeholder consultation before the legislation is finalised.
Finally, the association asked Parliament to carry out a thorough economic impact study to assess possible consequences for jobs, investment and regional trade.
