Kenya’s renewed fight against alcohol and drug abuse has entered a decisive phase. The Judiciary’s designation of special courts to handle narcotics-related cases is not merely an administrative adjustment; it is a powerful statement of intent.
It signals that the country is serious about dismantling drug networks and holding traffickers accountable, while aligning squarely with President William Ruto’s recent proclamation that the war on drugs must be prosecuted with urgency, coordination, and resolve.
For years, enforcement agencies have made commendable strides in intercepting illicit drugs, arresting suspects, and disrupting supply chains.
However, justice delayed has often meant justice diluted. Complex narcotics cases have languished in overburdened courts, undermining deterrence and emboldening criminal networks.
By creating specialised courts with the capacity and focus to fast-track these cases, the Judiciary has delivered a strong shot in the arm to the supply suppression pillar of our national strategy.
According to Nacada’s latest national survey, approximately one in every six Kenyans aged 15 to 65 years uses alcohol or another drug, translating to millions of lives directly affected.
Alcohol remains the most abused substance, while the use of cannabis, miraa, prescription drugs, and emerging synthetics continues to rise. These numbers are not abstract statistics; they represent families under strain, workplaces losing productivity, and communities grappling with preventable harm.
At Nacada, we have consistently emphasised that supply suppression must be matched with equally robust demand reduction strategies. Arresting traffickers is essential, but if those already dependent on substances have nowhere to turn for help, the demand that fuels illegal markets persists. In that vacuum, new suppliers inevitably emerge.
Recent nationwide inspections of treatment and rehabilitation facilities revealed both progress and troubling gaps. While 135 facilities are now fully accredited, offering nearly 3,800 inpatient beds, the majority are privately owned and financially out of reach for many Kenyans. We also found an acute shortage of public outpatient services and an alarming lack of specialised rehabilitation options for women and adolescents, two of the most vulnerable groups in our society.
This is why the president’s directive to establish a rehabilitation centre in every county is not just a policy ambition; it is a strategic necessity. When counties invest in accessible treatment, counselling, and reintegration services, they do more than restore individual lives. They reduce repeat offending, lower relapse rates, and shrink the consumer base that sustains illegal supply chains.
The designation of special narcotics courts, therefore, presents an opportunity, one that must be fully seized. It allows Kenya to synchronise justice with recovery.
If we get this balance right, we will not only disrupt drug networks. We will restore hope, rebuild families, and secure a healthier future for Kenya.
Dr Anthony Omerikwa, MBS Chief Executive Officer, Nacada
