By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, January 1 2026 -The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has thrown its weight behind President William Ruto’s renewed push against alcohol and substance abuse, describing the New Year agenda as a decisive step in confronting one of Kenya’s most pressing social challenges.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 1, NACADA said the President’s message sent a clear signal that the government is prepared to tackle addiction not just as a health concern, but as a national development and security issue. The authority pledged to scale up prevention programmes, strengthen enforcement partnerships and intensify public education campaigns across the country.
“NACADA welcomes the President’s New Year address, which clearly underscores the government’s commitment to addressing alcohol and substance abuse as a critical national issue,” the agency said, reaffirming its alignment with the national strategy outlined by the Head of State.
NACADA Board Chair Stephen Mairori noted that substance abuse continues to undermine public health, productivity and social cohesion, warning that the problem has increasingly taken root among young people.
“The President’s New Year’s message reaffirms the government’s resolve to confront alcohol and drug abuse due to its impact on public health, national security, productivity and social cohesion,” Mairori said.
During his address, President Ruto painted a stark picture of the scale of the crisis, revealing that more than 4.7 million Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 are currently using at least one substance of abuse. He warned that alcohol, often introduced during teenage years and in some cases at an alarmingly young age, remains the most widely consumed substance.
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To match words with action, the President announced the strengthening of the Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, expanding its personnel from 200 to 700 officers and equipping it with advanced surveillance, intelligence, forensic and financial investigation tools. He also called for tougher asset recovery measures to dismantle the financial backbone of drug networks, alongside the establishment of specialised courts to fast-track related cases.
NACADA said it will complement these measures by reinforcing its operational and governance frameworks and deepening collaboration with security agencies, county governments and community actors.
“The Board will strengthen operational and governance frameworks in line with the President’s address, while leveraging enhanced multi-agency cooperation to reinforce prevention, enforcement and public education interventions,” the authority said.
Expressing appreciation for the President’s leadership, NACADA reaffirmed its commitment to coordinated action aimed at reducing the harms of alcohol and drug abuse, and building a healthier, safer and more productive nation.
