In a stark revelation highlighting Kenya’s ongoing battle with substance abuse among its youth, at least 1,500 recruits have been expelled from Kenya Defence Forces training camps after testing positive for drugs, a lawmaker said on Sunday.
The dismissals came following intensive medical examinations conducted shortly after the young men and women reported for duty, according to Kieni Member of Parliament Njoroge Wainaina. Speaking to members of the Equator Men’s Self Help Group in Gakawa ward, Wainaina explained that initial screenings during the recruitment phase were less rigorous, allowing some to slip through before deeper tests by medical experts uncovered the issue.
“The number of youth sent away from the KDF training is alarming,” Wainaina told the gathering, urging parents to remain vigilant and monitor their children’s activities to steer them away from “anti-social behaviours.” He stressed the need for mentorship programmes, particularly involving fathers, to prevent young people from falling into alcoholism and drug use, which could jeopardise future employment opportunities despite solid educational qualifications.
Nationwide recruitment exposes drug problem
The nationwide KDF recruitment drive, held between 13 October and 25 October across Kenya’s constituencies, shortlisted around 3,000 candidates from thousands of applicants. But the post-selection phase at training camps exposed a deeper problem, with the 1,500 expulsions representing half of the shortlisted group – a figure that underscores the pervasive challenge of drug abuse in the country.
This is not an isolated incident. During the initial recruitment rounds last month, hundreds of aspiring recruits were disqualified in counties like Garissa and Lamu due to traces of illegal substances detected in mandatory blood tests. In Garissa, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Maalim, who oversaw the process, noted a “worrying increase” in drug use among youth, with substances like bhang (cannabis) and heroin commonly flagged. “The young men and women displayed great ambition and optimism in joining the Kenya Defence Forces,” Maalim said, but medical exams revealed the extent of the problem, leading to automatic rejections under the military’s zero-tolerance policy.
Regional disparities fuel addiction crisis
In Lamu, similar issues emerged, where athletic youth known for their sprinting prowess were barred after tests showed bhang abuse. Kenya Defence Forces officials, including Senior Medical Officer Lieutenant Colonel Wasike, attributed disqualifications to various health challenges, including drug use, which they said undermines opportunities for national service. Wasike called for community-led awareness campaigns and mentorship to guide youth toward healthier lifestyles.
The Kenya Defence Forces’ stringent process – which includes document verification, physical fitness assessments, medical checks and interviews – is designed to ensure only fit and disciplined individuals join the ranks. Drug testing is a core component, with polygraph and lab analyses for substances like anabolic steroids, growth hormones and others. Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has emphasised transparency and inclusivity, vowing no corruption in the exercise that draws from all 47 counties.
Statistics paint grim picture of youth drug use
These expulsions come amid alarming national statistics on youth drug abuse. According to the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, over 1.5 million Kenyan youths aged 25-35 are currently using at least one substance, with one in five in that age group affected. Among those 15-24, one in 37 uses cannabis, and half of all drug abusers are between 10-19 years old, with urban areas hit hardest. A National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse report from earlier this year painted a grim picture in universities, where 45.6% of students have used substances in their lifetime, and 26.6% are current users.
In regions like Garissa, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse estimates that seven out of 10 people are likely abusing drugs, fuelled by smuggling from neighbouring Ethiopia and high unemployment rates that drive crime and addiction. Human rights activist Mohamed Hussein warned that “we are losing a generation to drugs,” calling for collaborative efforts from parents, leaders and government agencies to promote rehabilitation and awareness.
Government steps up anti-drug measures
Wainaina also noted that similar rigorous testing will apply to National Police Service recruits heading to Kiganjo Police Training College, ensuring only those who test negative proceed.
This crackdown reflects broader government initiatives, including National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse’s sensitisation campaigns and the recent adoption of a National Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy in June, aimed at safeguarding health and productivity.
