One in every two university students in Kenya has used at least one drug or substance in their lifetime, while more than a quarter are current users, alarming figures that have prompted the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to intensify its fight against substance abuse among young people.
In a renewed push to curb the growing menace, NACADA has strengthened its partnership with the Kenya Scouts Association (KSA), enlisting thousands of Scouts across the country to champion drug-free lifestyles and influence their peers to make healthier choices.
The renewed collaboration was unveiled during the 2026 Regional Inter-Patrol Competitions at the Kenya Scouts Association Headquarters, Rowallan Scouts Camp in Nairobi, where hundreds of Scouts, Scout leaders, teachers and government officials gathered.
According to recent NACADA findings, 26.6 per cent of university students are current users of substances including alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and khat. The authority has also estimated that about one in every six Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 uses at least one drug or substance, highlighting the growing scale of the challenge facing the country.
Speaking during the event, NACADA's Board Chair said the Scouts movement remains one of the country's strongest platforms for nurturing disciplined, responsible and resilient young people, qualities that play a key role in preventing alcohol and drug abuse.
"The Kenya Scouts Association has, for generations, nurtured disciplined, responsible and patriotic young people. These are the same values that protect our youth from the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse. Prevention begins by empowering young people with the right information, positive role models and opportunities to develop their full potential," he said.
He warned that alcohol and drug abuse continues to threaten the health, education and future productivity of many young people, making preventive interventions more critical than ever.
Rather than waiting to address addiction after it has taken hold, NACADA said it is focusing on prevention by working with established youth organisations that already have a strong presence in schools and communities.
The Board Chair challenged Scouts to use their leadership positions to influence their peers positively by rejecting drugs and alcohol and encouraging others to do the same.
"Leadership begins with personal choices. Every decision you make today shapes the person you will become tomorrow. I encourage every Scout to choose purpose over peer pressure and become a champion for a drug-free Kenya," he added.
As part of the partnership, NACADA officers conducted preventive education sessions during the competitions, engaging participants through interactive discussions on the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse.
The authority also distributed information, education and communication materials to improve awareness and equip young people with knowledge to make informed decisions.
NACADA also recognised the role played by parents, teachers and Scout leaders in mentoring children, noting that strong family support and positive community environments remain among the most effective safeguards against substance abuse among adolescents.
The Regional Inter-Patrol Competitions bring together Scouts from different parts of the country to showcase leadership, teamwork, discipline and practical skills while promoting patriotism and personal development.
The authority said the strengthened collaboration with the Kenya Scouts Association forms part of its broader strategy of expanding evidence-based prevention programmes through established youth organisations.
NACADA maintained that leveraging platforms such as the Scouts movement will help build more resilient communities and empower young people to make healthy, informed and responsible choices before they are exposed to alcohol and drugs, as it steps up efforts to tackle substance abuse among Kenya's youth.
