The president is declaring a full-scale war on drugs and alcohol. President William Ruto unveiled a national strategy targeting substance abuse as a clear threat to Kenya's health and economy, citing data showing one in every six Kenyans uses at least one substance. He highlighted the crisis among young adults and men, noting that alcohol remains the most common, with over three million current users, often starting in adolescence.
A key part of the plan involves dramatically boosting the Anti-Narcotics Unit within the criminal investigations directorate, expanding it from two hundred to seven hundred officers with modern surveillance and forensic tools. The unit will collaborate with intelligence and border agencies, while new measures will allow the state to seize and forfeit assets linked to the trade, funneling those funds into rehabilitation programs. Ruto also mentioned consulting the judiciary on creating specialized courts for drug cases and warned that corrupt officials aiding traffickers will face prosecution.
Framing the fight as personal, the president called on families and communities to join the effort, stating that failure to act would betray the nation's children and future. The comprehensive approach treats substance abuse as a national security emergency, signaling a major government priority starting this year.
A key part of the plan involves dramatically boosting the Anti-Narcotics Unit within the criminal investigations directorate, expanding it from two hundred to seven hundred officers with modern surveillance and forensic tools. The unit will collaborate with intelligence and border agencies, while new measures will allow the state to seize and forfeit assets linked to the trade, funneling those funds into rehabilitation programs. Ruto also mentioned consulting the judiciary on creating specialized courts for drug cases and warned that corrupt officials aiding traffickers will face prosecution.
Framing the fight as personal, the president called on families and communities to join the effort, stating that failure to act would betray the nation's children and future. The comprehensive approach treats substance abuse as a national security emergency, signaling a major government priority starting this year.
