ANU to be expanded in renewed war on drugs, alcohol abuse – Ruto

Plans are under way for the establishment of a strengthened Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), with capabilities comparable to the elite Anti-Terrorism Police Unit.

The unit’s personnel will be expanded from 200 to 700 officers and equipped with modern surveillance, intelligence, forensic, and financial investigation tools to target high-level drug traffickers and illicit alcohol networks, President William said.

Ruto also emphasised that asset tracing, seizure, and forfeiture would feature prominently in narcotics and illicit alcohol investigations, with recovered assets redirected toward rehabilitation, prevention, and treatment programmes.

Ruto warned that any government official or security officer found colluding with traffickers would be prosecuted and dismissed from service.

Ruto, in his New Year address delivered from Eldoret State Lodge on December 31, declared alcohol and drug abuse a national emergency that threatens public health, national security, productivity, and the social fabric of the country.

He noted alarming statistics showing that one in six Kenyans aged 15-65 uses at least one substance of abuse, with over 4.7 million people affected, and that initiation into harmful use often begins in the teenage years.

“This crisis demands decisive national action,” Ruto said, unveiling a comprehensive government strategy to confront the menace through enforcement, prevention, and multi-agency cooperation.

Authorities have in the past three months mounted operations targeting drugs and alcohol across the country. Several suspects were arrested and arraigned while tones of drugs as well as alcohol were destroyed.

ATPU is under the DCI and has branches in key counties focusing on the war against terrorism.

It is headed by a director.

The key mandate of the Unit is to interdict terrorist activities within the country by countering violent extremism and effectively investigating all terrorism related cases. Its headquarters is located at the old Nairobi Area. The unit is headed by the Director ATPU.

The Unit was formed on 10th February, 2003 following the terrorist related attacks directed at the US Embassy in Kenya, hotel industries and due to the emerging radicalization of youths from East Africa Region who were more than willing to join Al-shabaab, ISIS and other terror groups. The Unit has four (4) Regional offices (Sub-Units) namely; Nairobi Sub-Unit, North Eastern Sub-Unit, Coast Sub-Unit and Western Sub-Unit. The Sub-Units are cascaded to wider coverage through various Detachments (Stations) across the country.

The Unit has a specialized tactical team that operates under the DCI. This team is composed of personnel carefully selected and vigorously trained to tackle any terror challenge. It is well equipped with specialized police and military-grade hardware and its main role is to supplement the investigative wing as well as respond to active high risk terror scenes.

Terrorism and other transnational crimes still pose a great threat to peace and stability in the country and the greater Horn of Africa (HOA). The Unit has focused its resources in curtailing the spread of terror networks by applying proactive and reactive mechanisms while respecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen.

The decline in cases of terrorism is largely attributed to the principle of multi-agency approach and co-operation in mitigating all aspects of terrorism threats in the country and the region. The Unit has also undertaken training and sensitization exercises to other security agencies, hotels, shopping malls and learning institutions.

ANU is mandated to enforce the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control)  Act No. 4 of 1994 cap 245 L.O.K.It was formed in 1983 to specifically deal with the menace of illicit drugs.The unit have officers who are well trained and equipped and are deployed across the country exit and entry points: i.e. sea ports, airports, borders and major highways.

Investigation of drugs cases.

Its mandate includes detection and prevention of drug offences, apprehension and prosecution of drug offenders, maintaining data bank on reported drug cases and liaison with local and international organizations dealing in drug related cases.

The mandate also includes gathering and disseminating drug intelligence to other law enforcement agencies locally and internationally and creating awareness/Sensitizing the members of public on dangers of drugs and drug trafficking through community meetings, colleges, schools, churches, rehabilitation centers etc

On Thursday, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has welcomed Ruto’s New Year’s address, which placed alcohol and drug abuse at the forefront of Kenya’s national agenda for 2026.

Nacada Board chairperson Stephen Mairori said the authority fully supports the President’s strong stance and reiterated its commitment to working with the government to rid Kenya of the harms associated with substance abuse.

The statement highlighted the alignment between Nacada’s mission and the government’s newly renewed focus on addiction prevention and rehabilitation.

Nacada said it will strengthen both operational and governance frameworks in line with the President’s vision, and will work closely with partners across government, civil society, and county administrations to reinforce prevention, enforcement, and public education interventions.

“Through stronger policy measures, coordinated action, and sustained collaboration across government agencies and stakeholders, Nacada remains resolute in safeguarding the well-being of all Kenyans,” the board chair said.

The authority also expressed appreciation for President Ruto’s leadership and goodwill in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse and pledged “unwavering commitment to the realisation of a healthy nation.”

Ruto’s declaration of 2026 as a year of accountability and intensified action against substance abuse signals a marked shift in national policy, one that Nacada and its partners are now poised to support fully in the months ahead.