NAIROBI, Kenya – Government agencies staged over 101,000 raids across Kenya in 2024, resulting in the closure of 16,808 non-compliant outlets and 429 shisha joints, according to Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo.
The operations, conducted between March and December, also saw the seizure of significant quantities of illegal substances, including 531,954 liters of chang’aa, 11,486 liters of ethanol, and 86,327 liters of counterfeit alcohol.
Dr. Omollo highlighted the government’s resolve to curb substance abuse near schools and residential areas, emphasizing tighter enforcement and collaboration with county governments to ensure no new alcohol establishments open near educational institutions.
“We are harmonizing licensing frameworks and increasing surveillance to protect our communities,” he said.
The crackdown forms part of a broader government strategy to address Kenya’s growing substance abuse problem, including community engagement, public education, and youth-oriented initiatives.
However, challenges persist, such as disjointed licensing between counties and the national government and the continued operation of some well-connected outlets in affluent areas like Nairobi’s Lavington neighborhood.
Beyond alcohol, the government has raised alarms over the increasing consumption of heroin and cocaine, with Ethiopia’s Moyale region now identified as a trafficking hub to Nairobi, replacing traditional coastal routes.
The Anti-Narcotics Unit is intensifying efforts to disrupt these networks.
Dr. Omollo also pointed to the National Crime Research Centre’s (NCRC) findings that punitive measures alone may not be sufficient.
The center’s report highlights how bans and enforcement strategies inadvertently fuel underground production and consumption.
Traditional brews remain popular due to their affordability and cultural significance, creating economic incentives for unregulated production despite health risks.
“The legacy of unregulated alcohol production has culminated in a dangerous informal sector marked by adulterated brews and second-generation alcohol, posing serious public health and safety risks,” the NCRC report states.
The government is emphasizing community-based interventions to tackle substance abuse at its roots.
Initiatives include positive parenting programs, school-based prevention campaigns, and youth outreach through sports.
Faith-based organizations are also being enlisted to promote healthy lifestyles among congregants.
To support rehabilitation, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and NACADA are working to accredit more treatment centers, making services accessible to affected individuals.
Workplace prevention initiatives and community rehabilitation efforts are being scaled up to address the issue holistically.
Experts warn that long-term solutions must address underlying socioeconomic factors driving illicit alcohol production and drug use.
Poverty, cultural influences, and limited access to affordable, regulated alcohol for certain populations perpetuate the problem.
Dr. Omollo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the crackdown while exploring sustainable solutions.
“We are working towards a collaborative framework with all stakeholders to ensure a safer environment for our youth and communities,” he said.
The operations, conducted between March and December, also saw the seizure of significant quantities of illegal substances, including 531,954 liters of chang’aa, 11,486 liters of ethanol, and 86,327 liters of counterfeit alcohol.
Dr. Omollo highlighted the government’s resolve to curb substance abuse near schools and residential areas, emphasizing tighter enforcement and collaboration with county governments to ensure no new alcohol establishments open near educational institutions.
“We are harmonizing licensing frameworks and increasing surveillance to protect our communities,” he said.
The crackdown forms part of a broader government strategy to address Kenya’s growing substance abuse problem, including community engagement, public education, and youth-oriented initiatives.
However, challenges persist, such as disjointed licensing between counties and the national government and the continued operation of some well-connected outlets in affluent areas like Nairobi’s Lavington neighborhood.
Beyond alcohol, the government has raised alarms over the increasing consumption of heroin and cocaine, with Ethiopia’s Moyale region now identified as a trafficking hub to Nairobi, replacing traditional coastal routes.
The Anti-Narcotics Unit is intensifying efforts to disrupt these networks.
Dr. Omollo also pointed to the National Crime Research Centre’s (NCRC) findings that punitive measures alone may not be sufficient.
The center’s report highlights how bans and enforcement strategies inadvertently fuel underground production and consumption.
Traditional brews remain popular due to their affordability and cultural significance, creating economic incentives for unregulated production despite health risks.
“The legacy of unregulated alcohol production has culminated in a dangerous informal sector marked by adulterated brews and second-generation alcohol, posing serious public health and safety risks,” the NCRC report states.
The government is emphasizing community-based interventions to tackle substance abuse at its roots.
Initiatives include positive parenting programs, school-based prevention campaigns, and youth outreach through sports.
Faith-based organizations are also being enlisted to promote healthy lifestyles among congregants.
To support rehabilitation, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and NACADA are working to accredit more treatment centers, making services accessible to affected individuals.
Workplace prevention initiatives and community rehabilitation efforts are being scaled up to address the issue holistically.
Experts warn that long-term solutions must address underlying socioeconomic factors driving illicit alcohol production and drug use.
Poverty, cultural influences, and limited access to affordable, regulated alcohol for certain populations perpetuate the problem.
Dr. Omollo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the crackdown while exploring sustainable solutions.
“We are working towards a collaborative framework with all stakeholders to ensure a safer environment for our youth and communities,” he said.
