Nacada: We have 2.65 million drug addicts in Kenya

Kenya has a staggering 2.65 million drug addicts and only four public rehabilitation centres, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada) has said.

Three of the centres; Mathari, Coast Provincial General Hospital and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, have an annual capacity of 200 patients each. The new addition is Murang'a Rehabilitation Centre, which is currently treating 1,000 alcoholics.

Nacada Chairman John Mututho has urged the Government to increase the number of rehab centres.

"The need for rehab centres in the country cannot be overemphasized especially with the recent illicit-alcohol crackdown," he said.

The most abused drugs, says Nacada, are alcohol, bhang, tobacco and miraa.