The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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By: Agnes Otieno, Student Laikipia University.
A new report by email the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has raised the alarm over growing drug use among university students in Kenya, revealing that one in five has used an illicit substance in the past year.
Cannabis, alcohol, and miraa are the most commonly abused.
The “Status of Drugs and Substance Abuse Among Varsity Students in Kenya, 2024” survey covered more than 15,000 students across 18 universities.
It recorded a drug-use prevalence rate of 18.6%, with approximately 8.5% of students likely to require rehabilitation services. Alcohol was found to be the most accessible substance at 87.3%, followed by cigarettes at 64.4% and shisha at 41.2%.
Cannabis emerged as the most abused narcotic, with 20.1% of respondents admitting usage.
The report further shows that third-year students and above, off-campus residents, self-sponsored learners, and students enrolled in private universities are the most at risk. It also highlights worrying social dynamics, including claims that some lecturers invite students—particularly young women—to social events where alcohol is served.
Beyond universities, the Coast region continues to record the country’s highest levels of drug abuse. A government official identified 10 counties, including Mombasa, as hotspots for youth substance abuse. Cannabis use in the Coast stands at 6.3%, compared to 1.9% in Nairobi.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has proposed deploying National Intelligence Service officers to monitor campuses and enhance the efficiency of specialized security units.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health plans to integrate addiction treatment into the Universal Health Coverage package and enforce the 300-meter rule restricting the sale of drugs and alcohol near learning institutions.
NACADA officials emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that “drug abuse is no longer a campus issue but a national crisis that demands urgent collective action.”
The Ministry of Health’s Principal Secretary added that combating the crisis requires a coordinated, multi-agency approach involving county governments, civil society, and faith-based organizations.
Officials stressed that the fight against drug abuse is “a battle for the very soul of our communities,” urging parents, students, and community leaders to support NACADA’s prevention programs, report suspicious activities, and encourage affected individuals to seek help.
