Kenya has declared alcohol and drug abuse a national development and security emergency.

Subsequently, a coordinated, whole-of-government response has been rolled out to curb the production, distribution and consumption of illicit substances, including bootleg liquor.

This move follows a recent presidential proclamation on alcohol and drug control, which calls for enhanced enforcement, prevention, rehabilitation and asset recovery through inter-agency collaboration and expanded operational capacity.

In his New Year’s address to the nation, the head of state described alcohol and drug abuse as a silent but deadly crisis threatening the country’s health, security and economic future.

The Head of State revealed that one in every six Kenyans aged between 15 and 65, more than 4.7 million people, is currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse.

“This is no longer a marginal issue; it is a national emergency,” he said.

Alcohol remains the most widely abused substance with more than 3.2 million current consumers. Initiation often occurs between the ages of 16 and 20 and in some cases as early as seven, exposing children to lifelong harm before adulthood begins.

To strengthen the fight against alcohol and drug abuse, the Anti-Narcotics Unit section in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations will be enhanced with operational capacity akin to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit.

The unit will be equipped with modern tools for surveillance, intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and financial investigations.

It will operate as a permanent, multi-agency formation working closely with the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the National Intelligence Service, Border Management Agencies, County Governments and international partners.

The Assets Recovery Agency has also been tasked with tracing, seizing, and forfeiting to the State assets used in or acquired through the narcotics and illicit alcohol trade.

In Mombasa, the Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration Raymond Omollo said the government’s resolve is translating into coordinated, intelligence-led operations that are dismantling drug networks, disrupting supply chains, and denying criminal syndicates the proceeds of their illicit trade.

“Through strengthened anti-narcotics enforcement, offenders are being arrested, illegal operations shut down and criminal assets forfeited to the state to support recovery and prevention efforts,” said Dr Omollo.

“Justice reforms are also reinforcing these gains, with specialised courts accelerating the handling of drug-related cases to ensure swift and consistent accountability,” he added.

The principal secretary noted that the Port of Mombasa and other ports of entry and exit (PoEs) are being strategically fortified through coordinated, multi-agency operations led by the Border Control and Operations Coordinating Committee (BCOCC) to boost surveillance and seal traditional trafficking avenues.

“This integrated approach underscores the government’s resolve to protect communities, safeguard the youth and restore socio-economic stability by confronting drug and alcohol abuse firmly and comprehensively in and around Mombasa County,” he said.

In October last year, the country recorded a breakthrough in the fight against transnational organised crime and drug trafficking after a multi-agency operation intercepted 1,024 kilogrammes of methamphetamine worth Ksh8.2 billion aboard a stateless vessel in the Indian Ocean.

Methamphetamine is a powerful synthetic stimulant typically manufactured in illegal laboratories, is found in powder, tablet or crystal forms and induces intense euphoria alongside heightened physical and mental stimulation.

A stateless vessel, christened Igor, which had long been on the radar of international authorities for suspected narcotics trafficking in the Western Indian Ocean, was found with six Iranian crew members. The suspects have been processed and are expected to be arraigned in court on Monday as investigations into the massive drug haul continue.

The multi-agency team comprised officers from the Kenya Navy, Kenya Coast Guard Service, the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sadik Hassan