State Department of Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Raymond Omollo says that alcohol and drug Abuse has caused a significant threat to the safety of people and security of Kenya.
Dr. Omollo added that drunk driving, which has been a major cause of fatalities and serious injuries on Kenyan roads, prompted the Ministry to elevate the fight against alcohol and substance use by declaring it a national security threat on March 6, 2024, marking a significant intensification of the ministry’s fight against these vices
He was speaking in Nairobi during the launch of the National Agency for Control of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) strategic plan which aims at enhancing compliance and enforcement of alcohol and drug control laws, regulations and standards running from 2023 to 2027.
The PS stated that the government has taken decisive action to ensure the safety and compliance of alcohol production in Kenya by issuing the 25 directives to enforce compliance and quality standards in the alcohol and manufacturing sector.
“The NACADA 2023-2027 strategic plan contains concrete and deliberate measures in not only enhancing the level of success achieved in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse but also to indicate how the momentum is sustained,” he highlighted.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Secretary for National Administration, Beverly Opwora, Dr.Omollo revealed that the Ministry in collaboration with NACADA, have managed to conduct 61,769 rates that show the seizure of 342,880 litres of Chang’aa and 2, 553,108 litres of Kangarawa confiscated. They also seized 70,743 litres of counterfeit alcohol and were able to close 15, 533 alcohol outlets and 381 shisha points.
In addition, the team also confiscated 6,047 Kilograms of bhang with a total of 29, 886 arrests have been made as a result of the crackdown.
“Regions that have been affected by these vices are Rift Valley, Nyanza, Central and Nairobi,” disclosed the PS.
As indicated by NACADA, alcohol is now the most socially abused substance within the country, mostly affecting the youth and learning institutions.
Based on data held by NACADA, Dr Omollo noted that the average age of initiation of alcohol use in Kenya is 16 years and while close to 40 percent of alcohol users are youths, one in every seven Kenyans aged between 25 to 30 years which totals to 1,137,288 are currently abusing alcohol with over half being addicted, amounting to 596, 336.
“The plan will help the country to get rid of alcohol and drug vices but also create a conducive environment for government programs and projects to be able to thrive,” Dr Omollo reiterated.
He encouraged the sensitization of parents, development of guidelines targeting learning institutions and partnering with county governments and other stakeholders on matters of rehabilitation and support for victims of alcohol and substance abuse.
In his remarks, the NACADA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Anthony Omerikwa said that the Agency will work closely with various stakeholders to achieve its intended goal.
The CEO called on all their partners to appreciate the great role they play in the country and support them by all means, in cash, time and every way possible.
“We recognize the role of our stakeholders who play a key role in our service realization,” he stressed.
By Lilian Mwikali and Risper Shirin
