The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has dismantled a major narcotics and illicit liquor network operating in Maseno, Kisumu County, following a coordinated crackdown targeting peddlers supplying university students and nearby institutions.
The midday operation, led by NACADA officers in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) and the National Police Service (NPS), resulted in the seizure of a large consignment of drugs and illegal brews.
Recovered from the scene were two basins of bhang, 55 packets of export cigarettes, 20 litres of chang’aa, and several Rizlers used for rolling joints. Authorities estimate the total value of the confiscated items at approximately Ksh.800, 000.
One suspect was arrested on-site, while another escaped and is currently being pursued by law enforcement. Investigators say part of the shipment had already been distributed to outlets in Manyatta, Kisumu, and Maseno town, forming part of a broader supply chain targeting university students.
“This was not a small, casual operation,” said an officer involved in the raid. “The network had a structured distribution system and was deliberately targeting students and young people around Maseno University.”
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa confirmed that the operation was part of the 100-Day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) — a national campaign aimed at curbing drug and substance abuse, especially among youth in schools and universities.
“This operation underscores our resolve to dismantle criminal drug networks that prey on the youth,” Dr. Omerikwa said. “We are working with law enforcement to ensure that our learning institutions remain drug-free zones.”
He added that the RRI will continue to target known drug hotspots in Kisumu, Eldoret, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru, with more coordinated sweeps planned over the next two months.
The raid has sparked mixed reactions among residents and students in Maseno. Some welcomed the crackdown, saying drug use had become rampant in the area, while others urged NACADA to pair enforcement with counseling and rehabilitation for affected youth.
“You can’t just arrest your way out of this problem,” said a Maseno University student leader who requested anonymity. “Many of our peers fall into substance abuse because of stress, peer pressure, and lack of guidance. We need awareness and support systems too.”
Community elders in the area have also urged parents and local leaders to collaborate with NACADA to help identify and counsel youths involved in the trade.
Maseno, one of the oldest university towns in Western Kenya, has in recent years faced a growing challenge of drug and alcohol abuse among students.
The proximity to border trade routes and informal settlements has made it an attractive location for small-scale traffickers.
NACADA’s 2024 survey ranked Kisumu County among the top five counties with the highest prevalence of marijuana and chang’aa consumption, particularly among young adults aged 18–25.
Police said the suspect in custody will be arraigned once investigations are complete. Officers are also tracing the supplier chain believed to stretch to Busia and Siaya counties.
“We have crucial leads and expect to make more arrests soon,” said Kisumu County Police Commander Sarah Kilonzo. “We want to dismantle this entire network, not just the dealers but also their financiers.”
NACADA, meanwhile, has pledged to intensify public awareness campaigns in learning institutions and partner with universities to establish peer counseling and rehabilitation programs.
The Maseno bust marks one of NACADA’s largest seizures under the Rapid Results Initiative this year, signaling the government’s renewed focus on combating the drug menace among students.
As the crackdown continues, authorities have urged students to resist the lure of narcotics and report suspected peddlers to university security or local police anonymously.
“Protect your future by staying drug-free,” Dr. Omerikwa said. “This war cannot be won by enforcement alone — it requires every Kenyan’s vigilance.”
