Private accommodation being used as drug dens, warns NACADA

NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa. [File, Standard]

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has raised alarm over the increasing misuse of private rental spaces (BNBs) for drug-fueled parties and illicit alcohol consumption.

In a statement, NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa noted that recent crackdown on illicit drug operations in entertainment venues, residential areas, and major urban centers have forced individuals involved in illegal drug trade to shift their activities to discreet locations to avoid scrutiny.

"Over the past year, multiple reports have emerged of young people having indulged in drugs in Airbnbs, in some incidences leading to deadly overdose," he said.

A recent NACADA report revealed that 23 per cent of young adults aged 18-24 in urban areas have engaged in drug use at social gatherings, with private rental spaces accounting for a significant percentage of these incidents.

In Nairobi, cases of murder and overdose fatalities linked to drug use in these spaces have heightened, calling for tighter regulation.

Last year for instance, several women were found murdered in hotels, with some of the culprits still at large.

As a result, NACADA has urged property owners and managers to exercise due diligence by screening guests and reporting suspicious activities to authorities.

"We are intensifying surveillance, awareness campaigns, and collaborations with the police, county governments, and private sector players to curb this emerging threat. Parents, guardians, and communities must also remain vigilant and actively engage young people in constructive activities to steer them away from the dangers of drug abuse," said Omerikwa.