National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse plans to inspect all schools

NACADA chairman John Mututho has a word with Nakuru county executive officer in charge of roads Engineer Maina Kairu during a parents day in Gilgil Hills academy (PHOTO: Antony Gitonga)

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) plans to inspect all schools over drug and alcohol abuse.

The move comes barely a week after the authority released a report which indicated that the use of drugs in the country's schools was on the rise.

Nacada Board Chairman John Mututho said they had bought sniffer dogs which will be used by officers from the authority.

Mututho said students were abusing drugs noting that some had even become drug peddlers.

"We are very serious on this and we are giving a warning to heads of those schools that we will not relent to close them down," said Mututho.

The chairman was addressing parents and students at Gilgil Hills Academy during a prayer ceremony for the school's candidates who are preparing to sit this year's national examinations.

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The former Naivasha MP said Kenyans drinking habits were worrying.

"Elgeyo Marakwet County is leading with consumption swallowing close to Sh5 billion annually and this is the trend that we want to change," he said.

Nacada Director Fazul Mohammed said all students in schools will be tested for drugs.

"Already we are investigating one public secondary school in Nakuru County where over 90 per cent of  students are addicted to bhang," said Mohammed.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo, who attended the ceremony as a parent, urged motorists to be careful on the roads.

"I want to take this opportunity to urge all Kenyans to be careful on the road as we head to the festive season," said Kimaiyo.