The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has reported that children as young as four are engaging in drug use, according to a 2019 survey.
The study found that 17% of primary school pupils nationwide are abusing substances, with 20.2% having used at least one drug in their lifetime. Current usage rates include 7.2% for prescription drugs, 3.2% for tobacco, 2.6% for alcohol, 2.3% for miraa/muguka, 1.2% for inhalants, and 1.2% for heroin.
Students most frequently accessed drugs during school holidays, after classes, weekends, and inter-school events. The survey identified kiosks (28.6%) and bars (25.7%) near schools as primary sources, alongside school staff (13.6%), peers (19.3%), and other students (13.7%).
Factors linked to youth drug use include family substance abuse, weak parental oversight, exposure to drug advertising, and proximity of bars and shops to schools. NACADA recommended stricter regulations on business locations near schools, banning single-cigarette sales, and parental education on drug risks.
The research, titled "Status of Drugs and Substance Abuse among Primary School Pupils in Kenya, 2019," involved 3,307 students from 177 schools across 25 countries. It was conducted with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). NACADA Chair Julius Githinji announced plans for similar studies in higher education institutions.
