Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed to intensify the fight against illicit brews and drug abuse among the youth. Speaking in Narok on Friday, Murkomen reaffirmed his commitment to eradicating the sale and distribution of harmful substances that have infiltrated schools, colleges, and universities.
“My job is to fight illegal alcohol, which is sold in sachets, contains ethanol, which is bad and is killing our children,” Murkomen stated. He emphasized that chiefs and police officers had been directed to ensure the complete eradication of illicit drugs and alcohol across the country.
Murkomen expressed deep concern over the increasing number of young people, particularly students, falling victim to substance abuse. He lamented that many young individuals, who should be focused on their studies and securing their futures, were instead struggling with addiction.
“You find someone lying on the terrace at three in the morning, and he is a young boy who would have been dependent on his family. Many families are being hurt, and what hurts me the most is that those who sell drugs have entered schools, colleges, and universities, and we are losing a very young generation,” he said.
The CS vowed to launch security operations targeting drug peddlers, ensuring they are arrested, prosecuted, and removed from society. He called on law enforcement officers and local administrators to play an active role in curbing the vice and protecting vulnerable youth from falling into the trap of substance abuse.
Murkomen’s remarks come against the backdrop of alarming statistics from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). In February 2025, NACADA board chairman Stephen Mairori revealed that 53% of Kenyans had used different types of drugs in their lifetime. The report also indicated a shift in drug abuse trends, with female university students emerging as the most affected group.
Mairori urged county governments to step up their efforts in the fight against drug abuse by collaborating with organizations and stakeholders to create awareness and implement preventive measures. He stressed the need for a collective approach to curb the escalating drug menace among the youth.
As the government steps up its war on drugs, Murkomen’s commitment signals a renewed push to safeguard the country’s future by protecting young people from the devastating effects of substance abuse.
