Nandi: As initiation ceremonies and festive celebrations peak across Nandi County, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has rolled out a week-long sensitisation campaign aimed at protecting young people from the rising risks of alcohol and drug abuse.
According to Kenya News Agency, the campaign has been taken to all six sub-counties through roadshow caravans, seeking to reach thousands of youths participating in traditional rites of passage or engaging in holiday activities. NACADA officials leading the campaign have maintained that this season presents heightened vulnerability as peer pressure, cultural gatherings, and festivities often create opportunities for substance misuse.
Flagging off the exercise in Kapsabet Town, Nandi Central Deputy County Commissioner Alfet Jillo expressed concern over the growing exposure of young people to illicit alcohol during initiation season. She highlighted that the administration has introduced a permit system to regulate the cultural consumption of busaa (a traditional locally made brew mostly used during initiation rites) to ensure minors are not drawn into harmful habits. ‘This initiative helps us protect the youth by ensuring illegal alcohol does not find its way into initiation camps or celebrations. We recognize the cultural significance of traditional brew, but we must keep our young people safe,’ Jillo emphasized.
NACADA County Coordinator for Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties, Calvin Olula, emphasized that the program specifically targets the youth population, who remains at high risk. ‘Young people are at the centre of this campaign. We want to ensure that the rites of passage taking place across the county do not become avenues for early exposure to drugs or alcohol,’ he noted.
The County Government of Nandi, through the Directorate of Alcoholic Drinks Control, welcomed the NACADA team, echoing the need for widespread sensitization across all borders of the county. The directorate affirmed its commitment to supporting awareness efforts that safeguard young initiates and strengthen responsible cultural practices.
Stakeholders present including church leaders, community elders, youth and local administrators reiterated the importance of shielding young people from negative influences during this formative stage of life. They called for collective vigilance to ensure that the festive season becomes a period of growth, learning, and responsible celebration.