Kenyans ushered in the New Year with celebrations across the country, despite persistent economic hardships that continue to strain household budgets.
As the festivities went on, President William Ruto marked the transition into 2026 with a late-night address from a sports club in Eldoret, outlining his priorities for the year ahead.
While the President made several promises aimed at steering the country forward, one declaration has sparked widespread debate and concern among a section of the population.
In his address, President Ruto identified alcohol and drug abuse as a major threat to Kenya’s future, describing the situation as a national emergency.
Citing alarming statistics, the Head of State revealed that close to five million Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 are currently abusing drugs.
According to him, substance abuse poses a serious risk to the country’s health system, national security, and economic productivity.
“Alcohol and drug abuse has become a clear danger to Kenya’s health, security and economic future,” President Ruto said, adding that decisive action must be taken to reverse the trend.
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In a strong warning, he declared a renewed war on alcohol, signaling tougher regulations and enforcement measures that are expected to take effect in the New Year.
The President further stated that Kenya must drastically reduce alcohol consumption if it hopes to achieve development levels comparable to countries such as Singapore.
The announcement, however, has elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans. While some have welcomed the move as a necessary step to protect young people and improve productivity, others argue that the President’s focus is misplaced.
Critics contend that corruption and the misuse of public resources remain the country’s most pressing challenges, contributing to widespread hopelessness.
Some Kenyans have argued that substance abuse is often a symptom rather than the root cause of the problem, serving as a coping mechanism for economic frustration and unemployment.
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