Ruto's plan to combat alcohol and drug addiction in 2026

President William Ruto has unveiled an expansive national strategy to confront alcohol and drug abuse, describing the crisis as a major threat to Kenya’s health, security, and economic future and pledging decisive government action beginning in 2026.

In his new year’s address to the nation, the President warned that substance abuse had reached emergency levels, affecting millions of Kenyans and disproportionately harming young people and men, the country’s most productive population.

“Alcohol and drug abuse have become a clear and present danger to Kenya’s health, security, and economic future,” Ruto said, adding that the problem could no longer be treated as a marginal social issue.

Citing official data, the President said one in every six Kenyans aged between 15 and 65—more than 4.7 million people—currently uses at least one drug or substance of abuse.

He noted that the burden was particularly heavy among men and young adults.

“One in every three Kenyan men in this age group uses drugs or alcohol. Among young adults aged 25 to 35, our most productive population, one in five is affected,” he said.

Ruto said alcohol remained the most widely used substance, with more than 3.2 million current users nationwide.

He expressed concern that initiation often occurs during adolescence, and in some cases in early childhood, exposing young people to long-term harm.

“Initiation often occurs between 16 and 20 years, and in some cases as early as seven, exposing children to lifelong harm before adulthood begins,” he said.

To address the crisis, the President said the government would treat alcohol and drug abuse as a national development and security emergency.

Central to the strategy is the establishment of a strengthened Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, with expanded operational capacity.

“We will establish a strengthened Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, with operational capacity comparable to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit,” Ruto said.

The unit’s personnel will be increased from 200 to 700 officers through recruitment and redeployment, and it will be equipped with modern surveillance, intelligence, forensic, and financial investigation tools.

The unit will work closely with NACADA, the National Intelligence Service, border agencies, county governments, and international partners.

Ruto also said asset tracing, seizure, and forfeiture would become central to narcotics and illicit alcohol investigations, with proceeds of crime redirected to rehabilitation, prevention, and treatment programmes.

“All assets used in or acquired through these activities… will be treated as proceeds of crime, promptly frozen, prosecuted, forfeited to the State, and redirected to rehabilitation, prevention, and treatment programmes,” he said.

The President said he would consult the Chief Justice on the possible establishment of specialised courts to fast-track drug-related cases, while respecting judicial independence.

He also announced plans to strengthen border security and warned that any public official found colluding with traffickers would be prosecuted and dismissed.

“This struggle is deeply personal to me, as your President, and as a parent,” Ruto said, urging families and communities to play an active role in prevention.

“If we fail to act, we fail our children; if we rise to this duty, we secure not only their future, but the moral strength and destiny of our nation.”