JKUAT News July 9, 2025

Jomo Kenyatta University Students Association (JKUSA), in a determined effort to curb the rising tide of alcohol and drug abuse among university students, has launched a campus-wide campaign aimed at promoting sober living and mental wellness. The initiative also aims to raise awareness, provide peer support, and lobby for stronger measures to curb the spread of drug use on campus.

Under the theme “Sober Youth, Strong Nation,” the initiative organized by the JKUSA office of Sports and Entertainment and the office of Health and Accommodation and sponsored by the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Kenya, was launched during a packed forum at JKUAT, bringing together students, lecturers, counselors, and local health officials.

While lauding the student-led initiative on behalf of the University, Mr. Joseph Mwangi who is also a students’ counselor, pledged full support in terms of resources, training, and creating safe spaces for affected students.

“I commend our student leaders for taking a stand. Drug and alcohol abuse is a national concern, and it requires a united front,” he said.

“We will strengthen counseling services, support student-led initiatives, and work closely with local authorities to address external threats to student well-being,” he added.

Mwangi further urged students to make wise decisions and not be swayed by peer pressure or societal influence. He emphasised the importance of self-discipline, focus, and a clear vision.

“Substance abuse is not just a matter of poor choices it often reflects deeper emotional, psychological, or social struggles,” asserted Mr. Mwangi. He added that students need support, not stigma.

On his part, the Sports and Entertainment secretary for JKUSA, Mr. Clinton Odhiambo, described the campaign as a wake-up call for the entire university community, saying, “this is no longer just a student problem. It’s an institutional and societal crisis. We are losing brilliant minds to addiction, and it has to stop.”

He further urged the other students to reach out to the relevant departments in case they needed any help and avoid struggling in silence.

In a major show of support, Ministry of Health representative from the Division of Mental Health, Dr. Jebet Boit praised the initiative and reiterated the government’s commitment to fighting substance abuse in learning institutions; advising the students that alcohol is not just a mental health but also a non-communicable disease that is leading to most of the cancers which later lead to death.

“We are proud to see students taking charge of their health and future. Alcohol and drug abuse among youth is a national public health concern, and such campaigns are vital in reversing the trend,” advised Dr. Boit.

She cited Ministry of Health data indicating that nearly 35% of university students in Kenya have experimented with alcohol or drugs, with early exposure often leading to long-term addiction and mental health complications.

“This is not just a moral issue, it’s a health emergency. Substance abuse increases the risk of depression, suicide, sexually transmitted infections, and academic failure. Prevention must begin where the youth are, in schools and universities,” she added.

She noted that the Ministry is ready to assist and curb the predicament through technical support for training peer educators and counselors; provision of information materials and through partnerships with county health departments to ensure access to community-based rehabilitation services.

The university administration has pledged to work closely with NACADA, parents’ associations, and local law enforcement to create a safer and drug-free learning environment.

The roll-out of the campaign comes after a recent survey on the status of alcohol, drugs and substance use among university students in Kenya by National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), which highlighted alarming trends and called for immediate intervention in line with a directive from the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen on curbing drug abuse among students.

A section of the students who attended the forum keenly following during the proceedings.

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