What You Need to Know
Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the government’s campaign against drug and alcohol abuse is yielding positive results. Speaking at a burial in Uasin Gishu County, he emphasized the need for local leaders to promote peace and urged unregistered residents to obtain national identity cards for better access to services. Murkomen reiterated the government’s un
Africa-Press – Kenya. Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has highlighted that the government’s ongoing campaign against alcohol and drug abuse is beginning to yield positive results.
The CS, speaking during a burial in Chepterit, Uasin Gishu County, where he joined family and friends to mourn Councillor Elkana Kemei Terigin, reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling the alcohol menace.
“We have managed to reduce the rate of drug and substance abuse. We are continuing to target the major perpetrators and ensure we eradicate this menace,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen also called on local leaders to avoid politics defined by violence and goonism.
The CS also urged unregistered residents to obtain national identity cards, highlighting that proper documentation enables citizens to access government services efficiently.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen pays his respects during the final send-off of the late Councillor Elkana Kemei Terigin on March 28, 2026/MINA
Murkomen has in recent months reiterated the government’s focus on addressing alcohol and drug abuse, warning that individuals involved in distributing illicit substances and adulterated alcohol will face enforcement measures.
The interior CS said the authorities would focus on dismantling networks involved in the trade of illicit drugs and adulterated alcohol.
He added that the government considers alcohol and substance abuse a major impediment to national development, particularly due to its impact on the country’s productive population.
“There is no country that can achieve first-world status when its most productive population is trapped in alcohol and substance abuse,” he said, during an earlier speech.
He also urged county governments to establish at least one rehabilitation centre in each county to support treatment, recovery, and reintegration of people affected by drug and alcohol dependency.
According to government plans outlined by President William Ruto, the Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is set to be strengthened and expanded.
Kenya has faced significant challenges with drug and alcohol abuse, impacting its social and economic development. The government has recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle these issues, which include strengthening law enforcement and promoting rehabilitation services. Recent initiatives aim to dismantle networks involved in the illicit drug trade and provide support for recovery, reflecting a growing commitment to address this public health crisis effectively. The establishment of rehabilitation centers across counties is part of a broader strategy to reintegrate affected individuals into society and enhance national productivity.
