Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised the alarm over what he calls a national crisis of alcohol and drug addiction, affecting millions of Kenyans across the country.

In an interview on January 12, 2026, Murkomen cited research by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to highlight the scope of the problem.

“We have a crisis of alcohol and drug addiction in the country and this crisis is really manifested in the statistics that were established after research done by NACADA which established that 4.9 million Kenyans are addicted to one substance or the other,” Murkomen said.

National security threat

He revealed that alcohol addiction affects about 1.3 million Kenyans, while roughly 300,000 are addicted to cannabis. Overall, alcohol is abused by 3.3 million people, and other drugs by nearly 2 million, meaning close to 5 million Kenyans are grappling with substance abuse.

Murkomen stressed that addiction is not just a government problem but a societal one. “The point I’m making here is that this is a crisis that is not just about government, it’s about society and we are confronting this challenge.”

Murkomen described substance abuse as one of Kenya’s top threats to national security alongside terrorism and banditry. “But of the three, the most widespread challenge we have in the country is alcohol and drug abuse because it’s in every part of the country.”

Government measures to curb abuse

To tackle the crisis, Murkomen outlined measures under President William Ruto’s direction. The Anti-Narcotics Unit will be strengthened, increasing officers from 192 to 692, trained in intelligence-led operations.

Legal reforms include raising the minimum drinking age from 18 to 21, banning online alcohol sales, restricting advertisements, and creating alcohol-free zones near schools and parks.

Murkomen noted the risks associated with online deliveries, which can facilitate underage consumption. He also highlighted challenges with licensing, citing areas with hundreds of liquor-selling shops, and called for a stricter legal framework.

He emphasised the need for collective action, calling on all sectors of society to confront the crisis and support measures aimed at turning the tide in 2026 and beyond.