NACADA moves to ban 15 rehab centres

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has published the results of a wide-ranging national inspection of treatment and rehabilitation centres, outlining notable progress alongside serious shortcomings in Kenya’s addiction recovery system.

The inspection was carried out in November 2025 under a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) and involved a multi-agency team drawn from various government institutions. In total, 236 rehabilitation facilities across 36 counties were assessed, making it the most comprehensive review of the country’s addiction treatment and rehabilitation capacity to date.

NACADA reported that 135 facilities met the required standards and were fully accredited, providing close to 3,800 residential beds. These centres—many offering Level 3 residential rehabilitation services—currently form the core of Kenya’s formal treatment and recovery framework.

However, the exercise also revealed widespread compliance concerns. Thirty facilities failed to meet accreditation standards, while 15 centres were issued with immediate closure orders due to serious violations that posed direct risks to clients. Among the issues cited were the use of expired medication, poor hygiene, unsafe infrastructure, and a lack of qualified medical personnel.

Another 56 facilities were found to have major gaps in compliance and have been placed under close monitoring as they work towards meeting regulatory requirements.

Beyond individual facilities, NACADA’s findings pointed to broader systemic challenges. Most accredited rehabilitation centres are privately owned, making quality inpatient care unaffordable for many families. At the same time, there is a significant shortage of public outpatient and community-based treatment services, limiting access to early intervention and sustained recovery support.

The situation is particularly dire for vulnerable populations. The inspection highlighted a severe lack of specialised rehabilitation services for women and adolescents, despite their distinct treatment and psychosocial needs.

These gaps are compounded by the scale of substance use disorders in the country. NACADA’s latest national survey estimates that more than 1.3 million Kenyans require treatment and rehabilitation services for alcohol and drug use disorders—far exceeding the current capacity of available facilities.

According to NACADA, the findings underscore the urgency of implementing the Presidential directive to establish at least one rehabilitation centre in every county. The Authority has called on county governments to prioritise the development of affordable, publicly funded treatment centres, while urging development partners, civil society organisations, and the private sector to invest in community-based and specialised rehabilitation services.

“A strong and inclusive continuum of care—from prevention and treatment to recovery and reintegration—is essential to ensure that every Kenyan has a fair chance at recovery, restoration, and dignity,” said NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, MBS.

NACADA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulation, improving quality standards, and working with stakeholders nationwide to build a safer and more equitable rehabilitation system across the country.