More than 250 former drug and alcohol addicts have appealed to the government to step up efforts in curbing the sale and consumption of illicit brews and harmful substances that continue to destroy the lives of young Kenyans.
Speaking during a press briefing organized by the Happy Family Rock Association in partnership with the Anglican Church of Kenya, the reformists expressed concern over the resurgence of killer brews that had previously been suppressed. The individuals, who have recently completed a rehabilitation program, accused the authorities of laxity in enforcing anti-drug laws and failing to dismantle networks of drug dealers and illicit alcohol manufacturers.
Mc Wamúting’oe, Chairman of the Happy Family Rock Association, warned that unless urgent action is taken, the country risks losing more youth to addiction and preventable deaths. “What we fought against last year is now back on our streets. We need sustained efforts and commitment from all levels of government,” he said.
Drug reformist George Kaniaru decried the low success rate of rehabilitation programs, noting that less than 5% of recovering addicts stay clean due to the absence of strong family support systems. “Rehab alone is not enough. Families must be empowered to support their loved ones through recovery,” he emphasized.
Gideon Karuri, a recovering addict, urged local administrators and law enforcement agencies to go beyond arresting users and focus on dismantling the networks responsible for the supply of illicit brews and drugs. “We are victims, but the real problem is the unchecked flow of these substances into our neighborhoods,” he said.
The call comes amid a worrying rise in drug-related deaths and addiction cases, particularly among the youth in central Kenya and other regions. The reformists are now urging both national and county governments to invest in rehabilitation, family support programs, and more aggressive law enforcement campaigns targeting drug barons and illicit brewers.
They further encouraged the public to join the fight by reporting suspicious activities and supporting community-led recovery efforts.
