The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has held vigorous campaigns in major trading centres in Narok County to sensitise people on alcohol and drug abuse.
The Director in charge of Corporate Services at NACADA Patrick Obura, said they are working closely with the county governments to contain drug and substance abuse in the county.
According to a report carried out in 2021 by the county government in collaboration with the NACADA, it was revealed that the prevalence of alcohol in the county is at 18 per cent, followed by tobacco at 10 per cent, while miraa was the third at 5.3 per cent.
“We are working with the county government to get more recent data that will inform whether our efforts are bearing fruit,” he said.
Obura said they have brought on board the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and faith-based organisations to help fight drug abuse.
“For the last one week, we have camped here in Narok doing road shows and public sensitisation across all the subcounties. We have realised that illicit brew and tobacco is still a major challenge in the county,” he said.
He committed to continue working with all stakeholders to eradicate the alcohol and drug abuse menace, through enforcement and public education, calling upon everyone, including the media, to help in the campaign.
The director of liquor and alcoholic drinks regulation and control in the Narok county government, Ms. Esther Mpusia, said officers from her office have been holding public participation and inspection of premises that deal with alcohol since July.
“All the licenses will expire on the 1st of September. What is happening now in all the sub-counties is to vet all the premises that deal with alcoholic drinks. We will give an allowance of only one week for the traders to pick their licenses,” he said.
By Ann Salaton
