Nacada to spend Sh22 million in Central for upgrading rehab centres

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has announced it will spend more than Sh22 million in sensitising and identifying individuals addicted to alcohol in Central Kenya region.

This is aimed at ensuring Kenyans do not succumb to alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Nacada CEO William Okedi said six people had died in Kiambu County due to severe withdrawal symptoms from alcohol.

Easier access

“We have reports that after the four-day campaign to rid the country of illicit brews, some people are undergoing severe alcohol withdrawal and we at Nacada intend to spend the next few days identifying those who need rehabilitation,” Mr Okedi said.

He said the focus is to ensure Kenyans get easier access to various rehabilitation services.

“We will give Sh6 million to the Nyeri County government to refurbish two health centres into rehabilitation facilities,” Okedi said.

The two health centres are Karia in Nyeri town and Gathuthi in Mathira constituency.

He said all counties within the region would get similar assistance to upgrade health facilities to cater for the rehabilitation needs of the alcoholics.

“Embu County will receive Sh10million while Murang’a will get Sh9.8 million to allow them offer accessible rehabilitation services,” Okedi added.

Nyeri Chief Officer for Health Services Peter Munyua welcomed the move to offer financial assistance to renovate health centres.

“We have three individuals who had been admitted with severe withdrawals and were in stable condition,” Mr Munyua said.

Operational costs

Munyua added that the county would provide personnel and cover operational costs of the facilities once they were opened to the public.

“We are currently in the tendering process, We expect that the two facilities will be offering rehabilitation services in the next three months,” Munyua explained.

Nyeri County Commissioner Michael Tialal said security and administration officers would continue with the campaign of eradicating illicit brews.

He added that they would carry out door-to door-searches in areas believed to be hiding the illegal alcohol.

Committees formed

“During the four-day operation, some unscrupulous individuals hid the illicit drinks within their homes and in rural areas, expecting to get away, but the campaign will be carried out farm to farm until we destroy all illicit brews in the region,” Tialal warned.

Mr Tialal said some inter-governmental committees had been formed to fight illicit brews and they would improve coordination of the campaigns.

“The national government is in charge of enforcement while the county government’s function is to issue licences. Close collaboration is needed to ensure bars shut down during the crackdown are not issued with licences or reopened,” Tialal said.