Every Kenyan who wished that one day the dragon of alcohol and illicit brew in Kenya would be slain can now smile.

This is after President William Ruto, in his New Year’s speech in Eldoret on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, stated that enough is enough.

In his message, the Head of State declared alcohol and drug abuse a national emergency and vowed that the government would confront it with the same seriousness reserved for terrorism and organised crime.

Ruto warned that substance abuse had silently grown into a major threat to the country’s health, security, and economic future, saying the crisis could no longer be ignored.

Ruto said alcohol and drug abuse had reached alarming levels, cutting across age groups and regions.

“Alcohol and drug abuse have become a clear and present danger to Kenya’s health, security, and economic future,” the president said.

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He disclosed that the problem was affecting millions of households, noting, “One in every six Kenyans aged between 15 and 65, that is over 4.7 million people, is currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse.”

According to the president, men and young people bear the heaviest burden, with alcohol remaining the most widely abused substance.

Ruto further warned that early exposure was worsening the crisis.

“Initiation often occurs between 16 and 20 years, and in some cases as early as seven,” he said.

Ruto announced that beginning in 2026, the government would escalate its response and treat alcohol and drug abuse as both a development and security emergency. “

“Accordingly, going into the new year, the government will confront alcohol and drug abuse as a national development and security emergency,” he said.

He revealed that a strengthened Anti-Narcotics Unit would be established within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

“We will establish a strengthened Anti-Narcotics Unit within the DCI, with operational capacity comparable to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit,” Ruto said, adding that the unit would be fully resourced and expanded to operate nationwide.

“Any government official, including security officers, found culpable of facilitating, protecting, or colluding with drug traffickers or illicit alcohol networks will be prosecuted and dismissed forthwith from the service,” Ruto released a warning.

He concluded by calling for collective responsibility, cautioning that failure to act decisively would amount to failing Kenya’s children and future generations.

Interestingly, the promise by Ruto to deal with the alcohol menace once and for all comes just a day after a survey by Infotrak showed that half of Kenyans are depressed, while others are on drugs to try and manage the stress that comes from economic hardships.