NACADA has announced a Grade 10 student from Kilifi County as the winner of the 2026 National Senior School Essay Writing Competition on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention after a nationwide contest that attracted 1,153 entries from 132 schools across 39 counties.
Faith Munyazi Wugoma of Helping Hands Senior School emerged as the national winner, followed by Rukia Abdi, a Form 4 student at Garbatulla Girls Secondary School in Isiolo County, and Angel Wangari, a Grade 10 learner at AIC Morop Girls Senior School in Nakuru County.
The competition, organised by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), was held under the theme, "Protecting Our Future: Making Drug-Free Choices in School and Beyond."
According to the authority, the initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen alcohol and drug abuse prevention among young people.
NACADA Board Chairperson Bishop Stephen Mairori commended the students for their participation and the quality of their essays.
"Prevention is not an optional line item; it is our most strategic investment in Kenya's tomorrow. The passion and clarity displayed by these students in their essays demonstrate that our young people are not just the future; they are powerful agents of change today. Their voices are a testament to the resilience and conscious choices being shaped by family, faith, and personal conviction," said Mairori.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa said the competition aligns with the Competency-Based Curriculum and the Life Skills Education framework by encouraging learners to reflect on issues related to alcohol and drug abuse.
"Through this competition, we are empowering learners to become ambassadors of change in their schools and communities. By engaging students in critical reflection on issues like peer pressure and the role of families and schools, we are reinforcing the life skills they need to resist drugs and support their peers positively," said Omerikwa.
The authority also recognised the participation of learners with disabilities, including Sirat Mahad of Ngala Secondary School for the Deaf in Nakuru County, who submitted a video presentation on the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on academic performance and discipline.
"Inclusion is not just about access; it is about ensuring that every learner, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to be heard and to contribute to shaping a drug-free future for Kenya," said Omerikwa.
According to NACADA, students submitted handwritten essays of between 800 and 1,000 words in either English or Kiswahili on topics including the impact of substance abuse on academic performance and discipline, peer pressure and social media, the role of schools in creating safe learning environments, strategies for resisting drugs and supporting peers, and parental and community responsibility in protecting learners.
Faith Munyazi Wugoma also topped the thematic category on the role of schools in creating safe and drug-free learning environments.
Rukia Abdi was the best performer in the category on parental and community responsibility in protecting learners from drugs, while Angel Wangari led the category on how students can resist drugs and support their peers positively.
NACADA said all students who participated, together with their teachers and schools, will receive certificates of recognition.
The authority added that the national and county winners will receive plaques and other rewards, while the top three national winners and county champions will be officially honoured at a ceremony to be announced later.
Their winning essays will also be published in a special NACADA newsletter.
