Work cut out for new Nacada board

By Athman Amran

Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti says the Government is going to strengthen the anti-narcotics unit to ensure Kenya was safe from drug traffickers.

"We are going to investigate those in the business of narcotics. It is the criminals that we are after," Saitoti said at his Harambee House offices in Nairobi.

The Minister was speaking during the inauguration of the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada) Authority Board of Directors, whose chairman is Dr Frank Njenga.

His comments come a day after he named four MPs and a businessman as suspects in the narcotics drug trade.

He alcohol and drug abuse as a major challenge facing the country.

"The fact that majority of those affected are Kenyans in their prime ages is a matter of great concern to the Government," Saitoti said, adding that the future of any nation depends on a youthful, healthy and productive workforce.

Underdevelopment

"Where the productivity of a nation’s workforce is lost through such vices as alcohol and drug abuse, criminal activities and other anti social practices come into play and destroy its fabric, resulting in serious consequences such as insecurity, and general under development," Saitoti said.

The Minister said behaviours associated with alcohol and drug abuse also contribute significantly to the transmission of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

The Nacada Authority is expected to implement the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2010, which regulates the production, sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks in Kenya.