Nacada says 2.5 million people in need of rehabilitation

Police and youth seize raw materials used to make spirits at MDI Ltd, a multi-million shilling liquor manufacturing plant in Nakuru East on July 4, 2015. The plant was officially opened by Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua in August last year. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |

What you need to know:

  • The revelation comes at a time when President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared a nationwide crackdown on illicit brews.
  • Fifteen per cent of Kenyans aged between 15-64 consume chang’aa.

More than 6,000 individuals die annually due to alcohol related problems, a survey conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse reveals.

According to the Nacada report, illicit brews, which are the leading cause of these deaths, are the most popular alcoholic drinks among Kenyans.

The revelation comes at a time when President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared a nationwide crackdown on illicit brews.

According to the data, there are 2.5 million people that require professional intervention in form of treatment and rehabilitation.

Fifteen per cent of Kenyans aged between 15-64 consume chang’aa.

The data further says 40 per cent of Kenyans aged 15-64 have tasted alcohol while 13 per cent of people from all provinces except northern Kenya consume alcohol.

Twelve per cent of children aged between 15-24 drink alcohol. Nairobi has the highest number of alcohol users in the 15-65 age cluster.

HIT HARD

Rift Valley, Central and Eastern are also hard hit by alcoholism. “Overall, the findings indicate a gradual shift towards lower rates for most substances of abuse nationally but a shift towards higher rates among the youth,” the survey reveals.  

Although Nacada has launched a massive campaign to fight alcoholism, the war is undermined by the limited number of affordable facilities for the recovering alcoholics.

There are only 77 facilities with an approximate bed capacity of less than 1,000. Recovering alcoholics require an average of Sh140,000 to procure these services.

The devastating effects of alcoholism among the addicted individuals usually leads to mental health, economical, biological, psychological, social and spiritual problems that make their addictive disorder difficult to treat.

A technical inter-agency committee on alcohol control which  was established in May 2014 following the deaths of more than 150 Kenyans due to consumption of adulterated alcohol in various parts of the country observed that methanol, which caused the deaths, is easily available.

According to Nacada Chairman John Mututho, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s gesture is a clear indicator that alcoholism is a societal problem. “Alcohol has ruined families. It has left many people homeless.

The impact has been felt nationally and it is time we, on top of the measures we have already initiated, declare a total war. This will help rescue our young men and women from being consumed,” Mr Mututho said, adding that the problem is not limited to low income earners only.

“Behind some of these ‘mbwa kali’ gates is a situation where we have very wealthy parents weeping for their wasted children. I know of mothers who are depressed,” he said.