Almost One Million Kenyans Hooked on Cannabis as Use Surges by 90% – NACADA
NACADA estimates that approximately one in every 53 Kenyans now uses cannabis, making it one of the country’s most commonly abused illicit drugs after alcohol and tobacco.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Zuriel Midambo
Kenya’s fight against drug and substance abuse has come under renewed focus after the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) revealed that nearly one million Kenyans are currently using cannabis, with consumption rising sharply over the past four years.
According to the agency’s latest survey, cannabis use has increased by a staggering 90 percent in the period leading up to 2024, highlighting what it describes as a growing public health and social concern that requires urgent national attention.
NACADA estimates that approximately one in every 53 Kenyans now uses cannabis, making it one of the country’s most commonly abused illicit drugs after alcohol and tobacco. The authority said the figures are worrying, given the easy accessibility of the drug and the misconception among some youth that it is harmless.
Speaking on the findings, NACADA warned that the increasing prevalence of cannabis use poses significant risks, particularly among young people, including addiction, mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, poor academic performance, school dropouts, and reduced productivity in the workplace.
The agency noted that the trend calls for urgent and coordinated interventions to prevent further escalation, especially as more minors are being exposed to the drug at an early age through peer pressure and social media influence.
“Our data shows a sharp rise in cannabis use, particularly among youth aged between 15 and 35. This is not just a security issue but a public health crisis that affects families, education and the economy,” the authority said in its report authored by Zuriel Midambo.
In response to the findings, NACADA has appealed to parents, teachers, religious leaders, community elders and government agencies to strengthen efforts aimed at preventing drug abuse at the family and community level.
The authority said families play a critical role in educating children about the dangers of substance abuse and identifying early warning signs before addiction takes hold. It urged parents to have open conversations with their children and monitor behavioural changes.
The agency also urged schools and community-based organisations to intensify awareness campaigns, guidance and counselling programmes, while encouraging young people already struggling with addiction to seek counselling and rehabilitation services without stigma.
It emphasised that tackling drug abuse requires a collective approach involving all sectors of society, from law enforcement to the health sector, to address both supply and demand.
NACADA reaffirmed its commitment to working with national and county governments, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to enhance prevention programmes, improve access to treatment and rehabilitation services, and disrupt the supply chain of illegal drugs across the country.
The latest statistics are expected to reignite discussions on Kenya’s drug abuse prevention strategies, including calls for stricter enforcement and increased funding for rehabilitation centres, as authorities seek to reverse the rising trend and protect vulnerable groups from the long-term effects of substance abuse.
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