The government is promoting an intelligence-led crackdown on drug and substance trafficking while encouraging the establishment of rehabilitation centres in every county to support treatment and recovery, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr Anthony Omerikwa has said.
Omerikwa said the government’s strategy focuses on suppressing the supply of illicit substances while reducing demand through treatment, recovery and rehabilitation programmes.
The NACADA boss said President William Ruto had called for rehabilitation facilities to be established across all counties to improve access to services for people struggling with addiction.
“We are encouraging county governments to open up rehabilitation centres to accommodate those who are in need,” Omerikwa said, adding that the private sector was also being encouraged to invest in more facilities.
He noted that the Social Health Authority (SHA) recognises rehabilitation as part of the treatment of relapsing mental health conditions, with rehabilitation services covered under its range of insurable benefits.
Omerikwa said the country required different interventions tailored to the challenges experienced in individual counties, warning against adopting a uniform approach to tackling substance abuse.
He cited the northern frontier counties, where alcohol may be less accessible but the abuse of pharmaceutical drugs remains a concern.
“Every county has its own county-specific challenges,” he said, noting that discussions during the Jukwaa platform had highlighted the need for region-specific solutions.
Omerikwa also raised concern over illicit alcohol and drug businesses operating within residential communities, saying traffickers could conceal their activities even in affluent neighbourhoods.
He recounted an incident in which authorities uncovered what he described as a small-scale industry bottling ethanol in a gated residential neighbourhood.
According to Omerikwa, the estate had only eight houses, all equipped with CCTV cameras, yet suspicious activities allegedly went unnoticed until authorities raided the operation.
He said the incident demonstrated the importance of community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies in identifying and reporting suspected illegal activities.
The government’s approach combines enforcement against suppliers with efforts to expand access to treatment and rehabilitation, as authorities seek to address both the availability of illicit substances and the factors contributing to addiction.
