NAIROBI, Kenya – A significant number of Kenyan university students have engaged in drug and substance use, with nearly half admitting to having used at least one drug in their lifetime, a new report by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has revealed.
The report, titled Status of Drugs and Substance Use Among University Students in Kenya, highlights the extent of substance abuse among university students, indicating that 45.6 percent of those surveyed had used drugs at some point.
The study, conducted last year, provides a stark picture of the growing challenge of drug abuse in higher education institutions.
Alcohol emerged as the most commonly abused substance, with 40.5 percent of students reporting use.
Cigarettes (13.4 percent), cannabis in both smoked (14.9 percent) and edible (11.9 percent) forms, and shisha (10.9 percent) also featured prominently.
The use of vapes (8.5 percent) and nicotine pouches (4.6 percent) underscores a rising trend in alternative smoking products.
Traditional stimulants such as miraa (10.1 percent) and muguka (9.9 percent) were also popular among students.
The study further found that 26.6 percent of students had engaged in drug use within the past 30 days, highlighting the prevalence of ongoing substance abuse.
The findings also indicated a disparity between private and public university students.
Drug use was notably higher among students in private universities, where 35.1 percent reported substance use in the past month, compared to 22.6 percent in public universities.
The report also found that severe depression rates were higher among private university students, raising concerns about mental health challenges linked to drug use.
The report identified several risk factors that push students toward substance abuse, including stress, unresolved childhood trauma, gender-based violence, gambling, and peer influence—especially from romantic partners or role models who use drugs.
To curb the crisis, NACADA has recommended a multi-faceted approach that includes strengthening guidance and counseling services, introducing mentorship programs, making rehabilitation services more affordable, and enhancing parental monitoring.
“The university management through the relevant department needs to establish vibrant recovery communities that celebrate sobriety, integrated with a strong component of continuous emotional and social support services for students on the recovery path,” the report emphasized.
Status of Drugs and Substance Use among University Students in Kenya, 2024 We believe in evidence-informed programming – because when it comes to addressing drug and substance use, as such guesswork is not an option. One of the most concerning developments is the rise of…
With drug and substance abuse posing a growing threat to the well-being and academic success of students, the report underscores the urgent need for intervention measures across all higher learning institutions.
