National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Also known as: NACADA
National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse — Kenyan agency that conducts drug surveillance, conducts rehab centre inspections, and partners with law enforcement and communities on substance abuse control.
… The board comprises senior officers from the Regional Commissioner’s office, Officers Commanding Police Divisions (OCPDs) from the National Police Service (Nairobi Region), the Chief Officer for Public Health, and officers from NACADA. …
MAKUENI, Kenya, May 2 – In a major enforcement operation led by the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), a multi-agency team has intercepted a large haul of counterfeit alcoholic drinks at the Speed Ways Distribution Depot in Kilome Market, …
NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 29 – The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has announced a significant extension of its 2026 National Senior School Essay Writing Competition deadline from March 28th to the end of May, opening doors for schools and stu …
NACADA extends 2026 School Essay Competition deadline to end of May By Benjamin Muriuki April 29, 2026 04:32 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter File image of NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa. …
… The operation was led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse in collaboration with other enforcement agencies during a raid in the upscale Klassique area of Nyeri. …
… horities display seized counterfeit alcohol and bottling equipment after a pre-dawn raid uncovered an illicit factory in Nyeri. [Amos Kiarie, Standard] A sophisticated illicit alcohol production network has been dismantled in Nyeri after a pre-dawn multi-agency raid led by NACADA …
NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 27 – The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), working jointly with the National Police Service, has uprooted two sacks of bhang in a targeted operation in Talau area, Trans Nzoia County, and arrested a 22-year-old suspect …
Kenya will commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday with a national event in Mombasa, focusing on adaptive and community-based approaches to address shifting substance abuse patterns, including synthetic drugs. The event will highlight Kenya's evolving drug control strategies, public awareness campaigns, and evidence-based rehabilitation programmes, including expanded free services for women at the Miritini Rehabilitation Centre.
Kenya will commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday with a national event in Mombasa, focusing on adaptive and community-based approaches to address shifting substance abuse patterns, including synthetic drugs. The event will highlight Kenya's evolving drug control strategies, public awareness campaigns, and evidence-based rehabilitation programmes, including expanded free services for women at the Miritini Rehabilitation Centre.
The Kenya Tobacco and Nicotine Tax Coalition has called on Parliament to fast-track the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill and retain strong regulatory measures, citing the rapid emergence of electronic cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches that are marketed with attractive flavours and packaging.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has partnered with religious leaders in the North Rift region to fight drug and alcohol abuse. Nacada Board Chair Bishop Stephen Mairori cited a Presidential directive on drugs and noted that the Rift Valley recorded the highest number of illicit alcoholic brews seized in the country over the last two and a half years, with security agencies confiscating 493,073 litres of illicit alcohol in the region between January 2024 and May 2026.
NACADA Board Chair Bishop Dr. Stephen Mairori, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, and religious leaders from the North Rift region have formed an alliance to dismantle drug and alcohol networks. The initiative will intensify crackdowns on illicit brew dens and expand treatment, counseling, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs for addicts.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has announced a partnership with religious leaders in the North Rift region to address rising cases of drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among young people, with discussions focused on concerns over illicit alcohol, narcotics, and school unrest.
Between January 2024 and May 2026, security agencies confiscated 493,073 litres of illicit alcohol in Kenya's Rift Valley region, the highest volume in the country, according to data presented to Parliament by the Deputy Inspector General of Police. Arrests related to illicit alcohol offences in the region fell from 16,040 in 2024 to 532 in the first five months of 2026, which police attributed to progress in efforts to curb the trade.
A nationwide wastewater analysis by NACADA covering 8 regions and 12 hotspot counties detected cannabis, heroin, and cocaine as Kenya's top three illicit drugs, along with New Psychoactive Substances and chemical markers indicating small-scale clandestine laboratory activity for methamphetamine, MDMA, and synthetic cathinones production within Kenya.
An opinion piece warns that Kenya faces a growing public health crisis as tobacco use causes approximately 12,000 deaths annually, with rising use of new nicotine products like e-cigarettes and vapes among young people threatening to reverse global progress in tobacco control.
An opinion piece warns that Kenya risks harming a generation through rising use of nicotine products including e-cigarettes and vapes among young people, as tobacco use contributes to approximately 12,000 deaths annually and threatens to reverse global tobacco control progress.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has closed two rehabilitation centres in Makueni and Kilifi counties following compliance inspections that found serious safety and regulatory violations, rescuing 16 clients. Inspectors at the Makueni facility found cracked walls, missing ceilings, poor sanitation, inadequate kitchen hygiene, unsafe water, absent medical waste disposal systems, and insufficient qualified personnel including counsellors and medical officers.
Kenya became the first East African country to conduct a comprehensive wastewater-based epidemiology study for drug control, analyzing 152 wastewater samples from 12 counties using advanced laboratory techniques. The report revealed emerging trends including growing use of synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances, with detection of methamphetamine, MDMA, synthetic cathinones, and other substances.
Kenya has become the first country in East Africa to conduct a wastewater-based epidemiology study for drug control, analyzing 152 samples from 12 hotspot counties. The report revealed trends in illicit drug use including synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances, and detected evidence of possible clandestine drug production.
NACADA has unveiled Kenya's first comprehensive wastewater-based epidemiology study for drug control, making the country the first in East Africa to adopt this scientific approach. The study analysed 152 wastewater samples from 12 hotspot counties and NACADA is calling for establishment of a National Wastewater Drug Surveillance and Early Warning System to strengthen real-time monitoring of emerging drug trends.
A NACADA wastewater analysis across 12 drug hotspot counties found evidence of synthetic drugs including methamphetamine, MDMA, synthetic cathinones, and new psychoactive substances, along with signs of small-scale illegal drug manufacturing operations. NACADA warned that Kenya's drug landscape is evolving and the country must shift its anti-narcotics strategies beyond traditional plant-based drugs.
Kenya has become the first country in East Africa to launch a comprehensive wastewater-based epidemiology study to track drug consumption trends. NACADA unveiled the pioneering report, which analyzed 152 wastewater samples from 12 drug-use hotspot counties using advanced scientific techniques to detect illicit drugs and psychoactive substances in sewage systems.
Two suspected cannabis traffickers abandoned their motorcycle and narcotics consignment and fled on foot during a police pursuit near Kwa Vonza, Kitui County, after being intercepted at a police barrier. NACADA and divisional criminal investigators had tracked the suspects following surveillance, and authorities have launched a manhunt for the fleeing duo.
Two suspected cannabis traffickers under NACADA surveillance abandoned their motorcycle and illegal consignment in Kwa Vonza, Kitui County, and fled into the bush after being spotted at a police checkpoint. NACADA says the suspects were heading towards South Eastern Kenya University, suggesting they intended to target students.
The Nairobi County Government has inducted a new Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Board to strengthen regulation of the liquor sector and address challenges including illegal outlets, underage drinking, and unregulated businesses in residential areas. The board comprises representatives from the Regional Commissioner's office, National Police Service divisions, Public Health, and NACADA.
Nairobi City County has begun induction of its new Alcoholic Drinks Control and Licensing Board, comprising senior officers from the Regional Commissioner's office, police division commanders, the Chief Officer for Public Health, and NACADA officers. The initiative aims to restore order, enhance coordination, and enforce strict compliance in the liquor licensing sector.
NACADA, working with KRA and police, raided Speed Ways Distribution Depot in Makueni and seized thousands of bottles of counterfeit spirits bearing fake excise stamps. Three suspects, including a lorry driver, were arrested during the operation.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has extended its 2026 National Senior School Essay Writing Competition deadline from March 28th to the end of May, allowing senior school students in Grades 10–12 more time to submit original handwritten essays of 800–1,000 words on drug-free choices in school and beyond.
Kenya's NACADA has extended the deadline for its 2026 National Senior School Essay Writing Competition from March 28 to the end of May, reopening participation for secondary school students in Grades 10, 11 and 12. The competition, themed on drug-free choices in school, requires 800–1,000-word handwritten essays in English or Kiswahili.
Authorities conducted a raid in Nyeri County's Klassique area and seized thousands of counterfeit vodka bottles, 275 litres of suspected ethanol, and industrial equipment used in an illegal brewing operation. A primary suspect—an aspiring MCA for Othaya—has been identified but remains at large.
A pre-dawn multi-agency raid led by NACADA and Nyeri County security uncovered a fully equipped counterfeit bottling plant in a residential home in Hekima, seizing thousands of fake alcohol bottles, over 260 litres of ethanol, industrial bottling machines, counterfeit tax stamps, and a distribution vehicle valued at more than Sh10 million. An aspiring MCA for Mahiga in Othaya constituency who operated the facility escaped arrest and is being pursued.