President William Ruto has announced a major nationwide crackdown on alcohol and drug abuse, declaring the problem a national development and security emergency as the country heads into the new year.
In a New Year address, the President said substance abuse has reached crisis levels, affecting millions of Kenyans and placing a heavy burden on families, communities and the economy. He cited government data showing that nearly one in every six Kenyans uses at least one drug or substance, with men and young people bearing the brunt of the problem.
According to the President, alcohol remains the most widely abused substance, with more than 3.2 million current users, while over 1.5 million young Kenyans are being pushed out of education, employment and opportunity due to addiction. He warned that early exposure, sometimes beginning in adolescence and within family settings, is condemning many children to lifelong harm.
“This is no longer a marginal issue. It is a national emergency,” Ruto said, adding that Kenya cannot continue to lose its young population to addiction.
As part of the new measures, the government will establish a strengthened anti-narcotics unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), with operational capacity comparable to the anti-terrorism police unit. The new unit will be equipped with modern surveillance, intelligence, forensic and financial investigation capabilities to dismantle drug trafficking and illicit alcohol networks.
The unit’s personnel will be expanded from about 200 officers to 700 through new recruitment and redeployment, with officers trained and equipped for nationwide operations. It will work closely with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), intelligence agencies, border management units, county governments and international partners.
A key pillar of the crackdown will be aggressive asset tracing and recovery. President Ruto said all assets linked to drug trafficking and illicit alcohol trade — including cash, vehicles, land, buildings and businesses — will be seized, forfeited to the state and redirected to rehabilitation, prevention and treatment programmes.
Recognising drug trafficking as an organised criminal enterprise, the President called on the Judiciary to consider establishing specialised courts to fast-track drug-related cases. He said he would consult the Chief Justice on ways the courts can support the fight, while respecting judicial independence.
Border security will also be tightened, with enhanced capacity for border patrol units and deployment of modern surveillance technology to monitor cross-border movements.
President Ruto issued a stern warning to public officials, including members of the Judiciary, who may be complicit in drug trafficking or illicit alcohol networks, saying any official found facilitating, protecting or colluding with such networks will be prosecuted and dismissed.
Beyond enforcement, the President emphasised the role of parents, communities and leaders in prevention, urging families to be present in their children’s lives and intervene early.
“No law can replace parental guidance, community values or prevention,” he said. “If we fail to act, we fail our children.”
Looking ahead, Ruto said 2026 and the years beyond will be marked by accountability, with leaders judged by performance and impact rather than status or longevity in office.
“Leadership will be measured by results delivered to the people,” he said, as he wished Kenyans a happy and safe New Year.
“May God bless you all, and may God bless Kenya.”