Raymond Omollo: Fight against drug abuse goes beyond law enforcement
By Faith Lagat, August 23, 2025Principal Secretary for the State Department of Internal Security and National Administration, Raymond Omollo, has emphasised that Kenya’s battle against drug and substance abuse goes beyond law enforcement.
In an X post on August 23, 2025, Omollo highlighted the importance of comprehensive healthcare interventions that restore dignity and hope to affected individuals.
“The government’s fight against drug and substance abuse goes beyond law enforcement. It is also rooted in deliberate healthcare interventions that restore dignity and hope,” he said, shedding light on a holistic strategy coordinated by the Ministry of Health through the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Nawiri recovery centre
Central to the approach is the Nawiri Recovery and Skills Centre at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). Meaning “to flourish” in Swahili, Nawiri targets individuals dealing with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. The centre combines practical life skills training—including personal grooming, medication management, and daily routines—with group therapy, family counselling, and community health education.
The centre features a 16-bed halfway home, providing men and women a safe transitional space as they reintegrate with families. Day clients benefit from structured rehabilitation programmes that include relapse prevention, early warning sign education, and home visits.
Omollo noted that patients are also trained in skills such as tailoring, salon services, and farming, with their products sold to the public, offering both therapeutic and income-generating opportunities. “At Nawiri, everything is fully covered under SHA, an intervention that restores health while easing the financial burden on families,” he said.
Prevention, enforcement, and healthcare
Omollo’s approach complements broader national initiatives to curb substance abuse, particularly among the youth. Recent data shows that 30.4% of university students report alcohol consumption, according to the National Survey on Drug and Substance Use in Universities released on August 18.
In addition to healthcare interventions, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) launched a school-based policy on August 22, emphasising prevention over punishment. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has also intensified law enforcement through a 100-day Rapid Results Initiative targeting illicit brews and narcotics, focusing on manufacturers and distributors.
Together, these measures reflect a multi-pronged approach to Kenya’s substance abuse crisis, blending rehabilitation, preventive education, and enforcement. Omollo said the goal is to restore health, empower affected individuals, and offer hope to families, while fostering a safer, drug-free society.