Mulembe times |07 MAY 2025
Kakamega Youth Drug Abuse Crisis | 10 High-Risk Counties in Kenya.
Kakamega is among 10 Kenyan counties flagged for high youth drug abuse rates. Learn about the Ministry of Health’s response, data insights, and upcoming national intervention campaigns.
The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent warning about the sharp rise in drug and substance abuse among young people, listing Kakamega County among the ten regions in Kenya most affected by this growing crisis.
Findings from a nationwide survey conducted between November 2024 and February 2025 show that 1 in every 11 young Kenyans aged 15 to 24 is currently abusing drugs or other harmful substances. Officials say this statistic represents a dangerous trend that could damage the country’s economic and social well-being for generations to come if not addressed immediately.
The report identifies Kakamega, Garissa, Kericho, Kisumu, Laikipia, Machakos, Meru, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Uasin Gishu as the counties most at risk. These areas are now set to receive urgent intervention from the national government.
According to Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, the crisis is deepening due to widespread access to substances such as alcohol, miraa (khat), tobacco, cannabis, and even prescription medication, which is increasingly being misused by youth.
“There is a disturbing rise in drug use among our young people. If we do not act now, we are staring at a generation lost to addiction,” PS Muthoni warned during a press briefing.
The problem extends beyond teenagers. The Ministry estimates that over 1.5 million Kenyans aged between 25 and 35, many of them from urban centers like Kakamega town, are also grappling with drug and substance abuse. As a result, the productivity of this crucial segment of the workforce is declining rapidly.
“This group is vital to the country’s economy. But drug addiction is robbing them of productivity, focus, and opportunity,” added Muthoni.
In response, the government is planning to launch a comprehensive national campaign, starting with the ten high-risk counties, including Kakamega. The campaign will include awareness drives, community outreach programs, and the strengthening of rehabilitation centres to support those seeking help.
The campaign will work closely with local stakeholders—county governments, religious institutions, schools, and civil society—to ensure maximum impact. According to the Ministry, Kakamega’s strategic involvement in the campaign will be crucial due to its high youth population and ongoing public health challenges.
Students in institutions of higher learning in counties like Kakamega have also been urged to avoid idleness during long holidays and stay away from harmful habits that might lead to drug dependency.
“Use this time wisely. Learn a skill, help your community, start a small business—do anything that builds you instead of destroying you,” advised PS Muthoni.
Mental health experts are calling for deeper intervention, noting that unemployment, peer pressure, depression, and social media influence are key drivers of the crisis. They also stress the importance of parental involvement and early education to prevent experimentation with drugs.
As the Ministry of Health prepares to unveil its full action plan before the end of May 2025, expectations are high that a multi-agency approach—combining health services, education, and law enforcement—can help reverse the alarming trends.
Meanwhile, counties like Kakamega are being urged to intensify local prevention efforts, including school outreach programs, community rehab referrals, and strict monitoring of pharmacies that may be enabling the misuse of prescription drugs.
“This is a national emergency. If we don’t stop it now, we will lose our youth to addiction,” concluded Muthoni.
With bold action and community support, there’s still hope to reclaim the future of Kenya’s young people—starting with high-risk areas like Kakamega County.
