Mombasa, Kenya – June 26, 2026 – In a powerful display of national resolve, Kenya joined the global community today in commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADA) at the Miritini Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Mombasa County. The event, held under the theme “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses”, brought together senior government officials, recovery advocates, and community leaders in a unified call to action against what President William Ruto has declared a national emergency.
The statistics painted a grim picture of a nation under siege. According to the latest NACADA national survey, a staggering 4.7 million Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 years, one in every six people, are currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse. The Coast Region remains the epicentre of this crisis, with 29.3% of residents using at least one substance, while Mombasa County bears the heaviest burden, with a prevalence of 34.4%.
Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr Raymond Omollo, reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to combating the drug menace through a balanced approach that combines enforcement, treatment, and prevention. “While enforcement remains critical, it is only one part of the solution,” he stated. “Sustainable success can only be achieved through a balanced and comprehensive approach that prioritizes prevention, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration”.
PS Omollo did not mince words, declaring, “These are not just statistics. They represent our children, our brothers and sisters, our colleagues, and our future workforce. Behind every number is a life that can either be lost to addiction or restored through timely intervention and support.”
The Government’s resolve was underscored by the recent high-profile interception of 1,024 kilograms of 98% pure crystal methamphetamine valued at KSh8.2 billion in the Indian Ocean.
“Our message is clear,” Omollo declared. “We will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance inter-agency cooperation, and pursue traffickers relentlessly wherever they operate.”
NACADA Board Chairman Bishop Dr. Stephen Mairori highlighted the Authority’s pioneering use of wastewater analysis to track drug consumption patterns in near real-time. “If the drug problem is changing, our responses must change with it,” he emphasized.
In a groundbreaking initiative to amplify youth voices, NACADA organized a National Essay Writing Competition for secondary school learners. The Mombasa County winner, Omar Mohamed from Kongowea Secondary School, was recognized for his insightful piece titled “Parental and Community Responsibility in Protecting Learners from Drugs.”
Across all speeches, a clear message emerged: Government efforts alone will not be sufficient. “Success will require a whole-of-society approach,” Dr. Omollo urged. “Parents, religious leaders, educators, and the private sector must all play their part.”
As the nation looks ahead, the path is clear: innovative solutions, evidence-based strategies, and a steadfast commitment to protecting Kenya’s youth. “Every life saved from addiction strengthens our nation,” Murkomen concluded. “Together, we can build a Kenya where our young people are healthy, productive, and empowered to contribute to national development.”
