Nacada reveals drug lords’ tricks as Ruto unveils grand plan to tackle substance abuse
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has revealed fresh details of dirty tricks used by drug lords. This comes at a time when President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on alcohol and drug abuse in the country, with the establishment of an Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to Nacada, traffickers are no longer just selling substances; they are mounting a deliberate attack on the nation’s future by grooming children into addiction.
At the close of 2025, Nacada, supported by the National Police Service and the Uasin Gishu County Command, dismantled a narcotics ring that targeted school-going children and youth in Langas area, Eldoret.
Beyond 300 rolls of cannabis and raw “stones” of the drug, officers discovered laced cookies. The edibles were professionally packaged to mimic ordinary snacks, a tactic designed to attract children and bypass parents and the surveillance of school authorities.
“Our reports indicate the traffickers we are nabbing have been deliberately and ruthlessly targeting school children and the youth. This is not just business for them; it is an attack on our nation’s future,” said Nacada boss Dr Anthony Omerikwa.
He described the bust as a clear marker of sustained vigilance, emphasising that traffickers are moving away from traditional methods to more socially invisible products like spiked treats. This strategy is reflected in recent Nacada’s national data, which shows that the average age for first-time drug use has plummeted to between 12 and 14 years. Currently, about one in every 11 Kenyans aged 15 to 24 is battling a substance use disorder, often initiated by these seemingly harmless gateways.
According to Nacada officials, these edibles were being sold at muguka dens for as little as Sh50 per cookie, making them easily accessible to children with pocket money. Edibles also eliminate the need for smoking, making marijuana easier to consume discreetly.
However, the lack of dosage control poses a risk as it’s hard to tell how potent a single cookie might be. Furthermore, authorities fear these snacks may be spiked with undisclosed hard drugs more dangerous than cannabis.
Beyond physical dens, Nacada officials the drug trade has moved online, complete with doorstep delivery services. This approach, the agency says, normalises drug use, making it appear fashionable and risk-free to a generation that is constantly on their phones.
“Parents must be present and robust. Be keen on behavioural changes and talk to your children openly about these dangers. The goal of these traffickers is to stay hidden; the only way to stop them is to bring their tactics into the light,” officials urged.
As the three suspects in Langas await arraignment, the government has signalled that this is only the beginning of a nationwide crackdown to reclaim the safety of the nation’s youth.
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