Kenyan MPs Accuse Police of Enabling Drug Trade as Substance Abuse Crisis Deepens
Nairobi, Kenya — Kenyan lawmakers have issued a stark warning about the country’s escalating drug and alcohol abuse crisis, accusing police of complicity in the illicit trade and demanding urgent reforms to prevent a “lost generation” of youth.
During a heated parliamentary session on Tuesday, members of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security confronted top security officials over systemic failures in combating substance abuse. The meeting included representatives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU).
“Police Are the Problem”
MPs did not mince words, with Kisumu West legislator Rosa Buyu alleging that law enforcement officers are the “number one enablers and beneficiaries” of the illegal drug and alcohol trade. “All the strategies we discuss will fail because the problem starts and ends with the police,” Buyu said. “Even when illicit alcohol is seized, it mysteriously disappears from police custody by morning.”
Nakuru Woman Representative Elizabeth Chelule echoed the accusations, criticizing agencies for downplaying internal corruption. “Women and children are suffering—killed, raped, and abused by people under the influence,” she said. “What concrete steps are being taken at the community level?”
Legal Gaps Undermining Enforcement
Saku MP Dido Ali Rasso, who chaired the session, raised concerns about the lack of a legal framework for current anti-drug efforts. “Without parliamentary approval, these policies have no force of law,” he argued. “You cannot effectively fight this crisis without proper legislation.”
NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa admitted that Kenya still lacks a legally binding national policy on alcohol and drug control, blaming delays on technical drafting issues rather than parliamentary inaction. “We are committed to ensuring these measures gain legitimacy,” he said.
Cross-Border Trafficking Complicates Crisis
DCI Director Mohamed Amin highlighted the regional nature of the problem, revealing that drug networks operate across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. “This isn’t just a Kenyan issue—it requires intelligence sharing and stronger regional cooperation,” he said.
Meanwhile, NACADA data shows that university students are among the hardest hit, with consumption rates far above national averages.
Calls for Urgent Action
Facing mounting pressure, the parliamentary committee has demanded a harmonized legal framework, stricter police oversight, and better inter-agency coordination. Lawmakers warned that without immediate intervention, Kenya risks a public health disaster fueled by addiction.
As the debate continues, affected families and activists are left waiting to see whether the government will translate tough talk into tangible reforms.
— Reported by Nexio News
