NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan government has sounded the alarm over the rising cases of drug and substance abuse among university students, calling for urgent intervention to curb the growing crisis.
Speaking at the launch of the Report on the Status of Drugs and Substance Use Among University Students in Kenya 2024, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen described the findings as a “wake-up call to the nation.”
The study, conducted across 17 universities, revealed that 45.6% of students had used at least one drug or substance in their lifetime, with 26.6% actively using drugs.
“The report reflects a sad reality—our universities, meant to be centers of excellence and intellectual growth, are also becoming breeding grounds for substance abuse,” Murkomen stated at the event held at Bomas of Kenya.
The study highlights alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and khat as the most commonly abused substances.
Additionally, newer and more dangerous drugs—including methamphetamine and codeine syrup—are also making their way onto campuses.
Murkomen expressed concern over the increasing number of female students affected by substance abuse and mental health issues.
The report found that female students exhibited higher rates of moderately severe (6.4%) and severe (4.1%) depressive disorders compared to their male counterparts (5.2% and 3.0%, respectively).
“The future of the girl child is at stake. We must take deliberate steps to address the unique vulnerabilities that female students face,” he emphasized.
The report further pointed to the widespread availability of illicit substances, with 87.3% of students reporting easy access to alcohol, 64.4% to cigarettes, and 41.2% to shisha.
Alarmingly, students themselves are playing a significant role in the supply chain, with 66.4% of drugs sourced through friends.
Murkomen urged parents to be more engaged in their children’s lives, warning that peer influence remains a major driver of drug use.
“Parents must know their children’s friends. A seemingly harmless friendship could be the very source of their downfall,” he warned.
The government has vowed to take firm action against drug traffickers operating both online and offline.
Murkomen directed the Anti-Narcotics Unit and law enforcement agencies to intensify the crackdown on drug syndicates targeting students.
“Crime is crime—whether it happens on the streets or through online platforms. Those selling drugs to our children must face the full force of the law,” he declared.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has been tasked with implementing new strategies to combat drug use in universities.
Murkomen urged university administrators to roll out strong mentorship programs and substance abuse prevention initiatives, while also leveraging social media to counter misinformation about drug use.
He also called for collaboration with chaplaincies and mental health experts to provide students with support systems that discourage drug dependency.
“This is not just a fight for sobriety; it is a fight for the soul of our nation,” Murkomen asserted.
In his final message, the Interior CS urged students to take responsibility for their futures, cautioning them that drug use could derail their academic and professional ambitions.
“Employers today are not just looking for academic qualifications; they are looking for individuals with integrity, discipline, and mental clarity. Say no to drugs and invest in your future,” he advised.
With the report now officially launched, the government, universities, and stakeholders face the task of turning its recommendations into action, as the fight against drug abuse among Kenya’s youth takes center stage.
