NACADA shuts down rehab centre over 'distressing' conditions

A general view of one of the rooms at the rehabilitaion centre. [Courtesy, NACADA]

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has shut down Ahadi Rehabilitation Center in Githunguri, Kiambu County following appalling conditions and serious health violations.

The raid, led by NACADA's Compliance and Enforcement team in collaboration with Public Health officials, revealed a facility operating far below the minimum health and safety standards required for rehabilitation centres.

Several patients were visibly ill and had been left without proper medical attention. Dormitories were cramped, poorly ventilated, and littered with torn, soiled mattresses.

Sanitation was virtually non-existent, with filthy toilets posing significant health risks.

The kitchen where food was prepared for vulnerable patients was found in a deplorable state, with ingredients stored in unsanitary conditions that authorities warned could lead to disease outbreaks.

Most troubling, however, was the absence of any qualified medical or counseling staff, raising grave concerns about the safety and well-being of patients struggling with addiction.

A general view of one of the rooms at the rehabilitaion centre. [Courtesy, NACADA]

"This isn't just substandard-it's criminal exploitation of vulnerable Kenyans," said NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa during the closure.

"We will not tolerate so-called rehabilitation centres operating as human warehouses. Effective immediately, we are launching nationwide inspections to root out all illegal facilities preying on desperate families."

Dr. Omerikwa acknowledged Kenya's shortage of certified treatment facilities, only 139 out of 255 inspected centres meet NACADA's standards, serving an estimated 3.2 million people battling substance use disorders."Recovery must happen with dignity, not in conditions that strip people of it," he added, warning that unlicensed operators will face legal consequences.

Following the closure, NACADA oversaw the safe transfer of patients to licensed centres and notified families to assist in the relocation process.

The authority is urging the public to verify the licensing status of rehabilitation facilities through official channels and report any suspicious operations via its toll-free line, 1192.