A shocking new report by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has exposed the widespread availability of drugs in Kenyan universities, painting a grim picture of a crisis spiraling out of control. The report reveals that alcohol is the most accessible substance, with a staggering 87.3% of university students admitting they can easily obtain it.
Other dangerous substances are also rampant, with 64.4% of students having access to cigarettes, 41.2% to shisha, 36.4% to cannabis, and 30.2% to vape/e-cigarettes. The findings suggest that illicit drug culture is deeply embedded within university life, raising concerns about its impact on academics, mental health, and future careers.
How Drugs Are Reaching Students – The Role of Friends, Canteens, and Even Lecturers
The NACADA report further reveals that friends are the primary source of drugs, with 66.4% of students saying they were introduced to substances through their peers. University canteens and bars are also major suppliers, accounting for 59.3% of cases.
However, in a shocking twist, 7% of students pointed fingers at lecturers and university teaching staff as drug suppliers. This revelation raises serious questions about the integrity of academic institutions and whether some members of staff are actively fueling the drug problem instead of mentoring students.
A System on the Brink: Drug Dens Masquerading as Learning Institutions
The statistics highlight a deeply entrenched problem, with universities increasingly becoming safe havens for drug abuse. Canteens that should be providing food and essentials are instead turning into mini-liquor stores, while some bars around campuses operate without regulation, freely selling alcohol and other substances to students.
The mention of lecturers and teaching staff in drug distribution adds a disturbing layer to the crisis. Are these individuals acting out of personal addiction, financial desperation, or a deliberate attempt to exploit students? The Education Ministry and law enforcement agencies must take decisive action before the situation worsens.
Government, Parents, and Universities Must Act—Now!
With drug use infiltrating learning institutions at such alarming rates, urgent intervention is needed. The Ministry of Education, NACADA, and law enforcement agencies must crack down on illicit suppliers, regulate campus canteens, and strengthen policies against drug abuse.
Parents also have a role to play in monitoring their children’s behavior and educating them about the dangers of substance abuse. Meanwhile, university administrations must conduct random drug tests, enhance security checks, and actively engage students in mentorship programs to counter the growing influence of drug culture.
Kenya’s universities should be centers of excellence, not breeding grounds for addiction and wasted potential. With these revelations, the big question remains: Will authorities act, or will they watch as an entire generation sinks into addiction?
