Kericho: Kericho County has escalated its war against drug and substance abuse, linking the crisis to declining academic performance, deteriorating health outcomes, and the compromised future of the region’s youth. A coordinated initiative spearheaded by technical institutions, the Kericho County government and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is focusing on prevention, rehabilitation, and enforcement in a bid to reverse the tide of addiction, particularly among students.
According to Kenya News Agency, addressing a stakeholder forum ahead of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADA), Principal of Kericho Technical and Vocational College (KTVC), Mr. Shadrack Tonui, emphasised that the institution’s mandate goes beyond academic training. ‘We are not just training our students to pass exams. We want them to graduate clean, free from drug abuse, and ready to work and build society. That’s why we’re working closely with NACADA under the Comrade Initiative, a structured intervention programme that monitors and supports our students throughout their time at the college,’ said Tonui.
In his closing remarks, Tonui emphasised that the initiative was not intended to police or spy on students but rather to provide timely support. He noted that the goal was to offer early intervention in a manner that avoids stigma or punitive measures.
In an interview with KNA, Kericho County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Mr. John Cheruiyot, confirmed that NACADA had formally communicated plans to open a regional office in Kericho, a move expected to strengthen coordination at the grassroots level. ‘This office will help us coordinate responses better at the local level. The fight against drugs needs strong structures on the ground,’ said Cheruiyot.
He urged NACADA’s national leadership to match policy with action by responding more robustly to the unique challenges facing counties. ‘It’s time we treated drug abuse as a national emergency. We must invest more-our time, our money, our attention-into saving a generation,’ said Cheruiyot.
At the same time, NACADA’s County Coordinator for Kericho, Wendy Waithaka, expressed concern over the high density of alcohol outlets located in close proximity to schools and residential areas. ‘There are too many bars too close to our schools and homes. We are mapping them out and enforcing stricter controls to reverse this trend. At the same time, we are not abandoning those already affected. Rehabilitation centers, counselling services, and support in hospitals are critical, and we’re working to make these services more accessible,’ said Waithaka, reaffirming NACADA’s dual commitment to both prevention and recovery.
As part of the community healing efforts, Waithaka announced that more than 100 trees would be planted across Kericho to complement the rehabilitation drive with environmental renewal. ‘It’s symbolic and practical. Healing our environment is part of healing our people. Recent research from our local universities shows that over 50 per cent of students have experimented with drugs-this is deeply alarming. This is not just a university problem. If we don’t act now, we’ll lose our youth before they even get started in life,’ said Waithaka.
In support of long-term community resilience, the county is rolling out training programmes for community-based organisations to enhance local capacity in drug prevention, referral services, and psychosocial support. The IDADA commemoration, set to be held at Uhuru Gardens in Kericho, will bring together schools, colleges, civil society, and government departments in a unified call for action against substance abuse.
Organisers have emphasised that the event is not merely ceremonial but intended to launch a long-term agenda for behavioural change and community responsibility. ‘This isn’t a one-off event. It’s the beginning of a permanent shift in how we protect and empower our youth,’ said Cheruiyot.
With momentum building and institutional partnerships now taking shape, stakeholders expressed optimism that Kericho could emerge as a national model for integrated, community-driven efforts to eliminate drug abuse among the youth.