Nairobi: NACADA Receives Drug Test Kits from UN to Boost War on Drug Abuse
- NACADA received 30 drug and precursor test kits from UNODC, giving Kenya’s anti-narcotics campaign new energy
- Each kit has the capacity to run up to 500 tests, supporting enforcement and laboratory teams across the country
- The donation came as Kenya stepped up its 100 days rapid results Initiative on illicit alcohol and drugs
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Nairobi: Kenya’s fight against drugs got a fresh boost after NACADA secured powerful new testing kits from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Source: Twitter
The agency received 30 drug test kits and 30 precursor test kits during a handover ceremony in Nairobi.
Each kit can perform up to 500 tests, giving enforcement and laboratory officers stronger capacity to tackle narcotics trafficking and abuse.
How will the drug kits help NACADA?
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa hailed the donation as timely and strategic.
“This donation is a big boost to our national response to drug and substance abuse. With these kits, NACADA and our partner agencies will be better equipped to detect narcotics and precursor chemicals quickly, accurately, and on-site,” he said.
Omerikwa added that the kits would support frontline enforcement operations while reinforcing public health and prevention programmes.
“Early detection means early intervention. By identifying illicit substances at the source, we can disrupt supply chains before they reach our communities. Ultimately, this saves lives and protects the future of our young people,” he explained.
Presenting the kits, UNODC Nairobi representative Boniface Wilunda described them as reliable and field-friendly.
UNDOC keen to support Kenya's fights against drug abuse
He stressed that the donation was meant to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to detect drugs and uphold the law.
“These drug and precursor testing kits are designed to be reliable, field-friendly, and scientifically validated. They will empower NACADA and other agencies to act with speed and confidence in identifying substances, thereby strengthening Kenya’s capacity to uphold the law and protect its people,” Wilunda noted.
The support came at a time when Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was leading a rapid results drive against illicit alcohol and narcotics.
It also complemented proposals in the recently launched National Alcohol Policy 2025, which prioritises tougher enforcement, evidence-led action, and stronger collaboration with global partners.
With the new equipment, NACADA and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Kenyan communities from the dangers of drugs and illicit substances.
Source: Twitter
Is drug abuse taking root in universities?
In a related development previously reported by TUKO.co.ke, NACADA rolled out a new initiative targeting rising drug use in Kenyan universities.
The move followed a survey that revealed widespread abuse of alcohol, bhang, and prescription drugs among students, sparking fears of a generation at risk.
The authority planned regional forums across the country to bring together students, administrators, and government agencies.
These engagements were designed to explore root causes, create prevention measures, and build partnerships that promote awareness and rehabilitation.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
