By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, December 31 2025 - Three suspects have been arrested in a multiagency operation targeting the supply of illicit drugs to school children and youth in the Langas area of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. The coordinated raid, conducted in the predawn hours by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the National Police Service, saw a large cache of narcotics seized, officials said.
Acting on specific intelligence, officers descended on a suspected distribution hub believed to be at the core of a network deliberately targeting minors with drugs. The team recovered more than 300 cannabis rolls, a full stone of cannabis, assorted chewable tobacco products and cannabis laced cookies allegedly packaged for distribution to children and young people.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa said the operation is part of a nationwide festive season crackdown on drug supply chains and underscores growing concerns over narcotics distribution among school age children. “Our reports show that those involved are ruthlessly targeting school children and the youth.
This is not just criminal activity, it is an attack on our nation’s future,” Dr. Omerikwa said, warning that both street level dealers and the financiers of such networks will face the full force of the law. The arrested individuals are currently being held at Langas Police Station and are expected to be charged in court as investigations continue.
The Eldoret operation comes amid a heightened national campaign against drug and substance abuse, particularly where substances are being diverted toward minors. NACADA has intensified efforts not only to disrupt supply networks but also to address the root causes and patterns of drug use in communities and schools.
Earlier in 2025, NACADA launched a Community Based Rehabilitation Framework aimed at treating drug addiction as not just a criminal issue but a health and societal challenge, calling for enhanced prevention, treatment, and reintegration programs nationwide.
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Statistics from national studies show that millions of Kenyans aged 15–65 use at least one type of drug or substance, with youth and adolescents considered particularly at risk. Efforts include education in schools, community awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of age restrictions and zone controls around schools.
Kenyan authorities have also targeted locations and outlets near schools where drug and alcohol abuse is prevalent, with campaigns to enforce existing laws such as the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act and related regulations, which restrict sale of alcohol and drugs close to learning institutions.
One disturbing trend highlighted by this and previous operations is the introduction of cannabis laced edibles and tobacco products designed to appeal to younger demographics, such as cookies and chewable products. Similar arrests earlier in 2025 uncovered cannabis laced cookies in Nakuru County, where a woman was detained for allegedly selling such edibles to minors.
Such products are seen by authorities as deliberately tailored to lure children by disguising narcotics in attractive, sweet forms, prompting stronger enforcement and awareness campaigns. NACADA continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, particularly around schools, markets and youth hangouts.
The agency emphasises that community involvement is crucial to the success of enforcement and prevention strategies.
