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The Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security has urged the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to be more proactive in combating illicit drugs.
During a meeting chaired by Narok West MP, Hon. Gabriel Togoyo, the Committee questioned NACADA’s apparent silence on the ongoing national debate regarding the ban on the sale of khat, commonly known as miraa, and muguka.
NACADA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, explained that the authority operates as a regulatory body. “NACADA is a regulator. Our mandate revolves around enhancing compliance. Adjustments to that law would help us expand our scope,” said Dr. Omerikwa.
The legislators sought to understand NACADA’s stance on the legality of muguka and the authority’s actions to address the issue. Dr. Omerikwa clarified that, according to the second schedule of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994, Cathine and Cathinone—the chemicals in muguka—are classified as psychotropic substances. He further explained that the Act criminalizes any trade in psychotropic substances.
“According to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994, any person who traffics any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance or any substance represented or held out by them to be a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance shall be guilty of an offence,” noted Dr. Omerikwa.
However, the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with NACADA’s responses and directed the management to present a detailed report demonstrating the impact of alcohol and drug abuse across the country’s counties.
