Murkomen demands collective fight against drug abuse in schools
By Cynthia Lodite, May 23, 2026Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on leaders, parents, and administrators to work together in improving education standards and addressing the growing menace of drug and substance abuse in schools.
Speaking on Saturday, May 23, 2026, during the commissioning of ten classrooms at Sergoit Primary School, Murkomen described education as a key equaliser in society and urged leaders to focus on development matters that benefit communities.
He said cases of drug and alcohol abuse affecting schools were on the rise and urged teachers to work closely with administrators and security agencies to help enforce the law against individuals supplying drugs and alcohol to students.
The CS further directed county commissioners to provide reports on the ongoing crackdown against illegal drugs and warned that any teacher found selling drugs to students will face arrest and sacking.
“I called on parents to play a leading role in monitoring the academic progress of their children and directed the NGAOs to work closely with schools’ administrators to ensure schools are free from drugs and alcohol,” Murkomen said.
Parents’ responsibility
At the same time, the CS called on parents to play a leading role in ensuring that schools are free from drugs and alcohol.
“I call on parents to play a lead role in monitoring the academic progress of their children. I also direct the NGAOs to work closely with schools’ administrators to ensure schools are free from drugs and alcohol,” he said.
At the time, Murkomen emphasised the need for equitable distribution of teachers across all counties and schools to enhance fairness and improve the quality of education nationwide.
NACADA report
Murkomen’s remarks come days after NACADA released a report on emerging psychoactive substances and illicit drug use, which further revealed alarming levels of substance exposure in the country.
Following the report, Murkomen launched a strategic move in a relentless campaign in the fight against the narcotics trade, drug and substance abuse in the country.
Among the bold steps by the government are investing in research to strengthen evidence-based interventions.
“We are taking targeted and bold steps in the fight against drug and substance abuse, including investing in research to strengthen evidence-based interventions. Today, I presided over the launch of a report on emerging psychoactive substances and illicit drug use in Kenya,” Murkomen said.