The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has released troubling findings showing that more than 1.3 million Kenyans require treatment and rehabilitation services for substance use disorders.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 15, NACADA said the findings followed a nationwide inspection of rehabilitation facilities carried out between November and December 2024 under the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI).
The assessment showed that 135 facilities attained full accreditation after meeting the required standards, offering both residential and outpatient services across different levels of care.
Millions Affected as Report Exposes Drug Abuse Challenge in Kenya. Photo: Courtesy.
Many of the accredited centres operate as Level 3 residential facilities and now form the backbone of the country’s treatment and recovery system.
However, the review also exposed major shortcomings, with 30 facilities receiving conditional accreditation and 15 ordered to shut down immediately over serious violations of patient care standards.
NACADA said the closures were due to poor sanitation, unsafe infrastructure, and a shortage of qualified medical staff, while 56 more facilities were flagged for close monitoring.
The report also highlighted major gaps in the sector, noting that most accredited centres are privately owned, making quality care unaffordable for many families.
It further raised concern over the lack of public facilities and specialised programmes, especially for women and adolescents.
The report highlighted that, according to the latest national data on alcohol and substance use in Kenya, more than 1.3 million people are in need of treatment for drug and alcohol-related disorders.
