President William Ruto makes his entry at the Eldoret Sports Club for the Nyota Business Start-Up Capital disbursement ceremony, January 8, 2026. /PCSPresident William Ruto has urged Kenyan youth to avoid drug and alcohol abuse, cautioning that such habits endanger not only individual futures but also the nation’s long-term development.
Speaking on Thursday in Eldoret, the President emphasised that young people have the energy, talent, and creativity to transform their lives and build successful enterprises—provided they remain disciplined, focused, and free from substance abuse.
He framed his appeal personally, addressing the youth as a parent concerned for the welfare and potential of his children.
“The young people of our nation, our sons, our daughters — the people we love — you have an opportunity to grow your businesses and realise your dreams,” Ruto said.
“I plead with you as a parent. I am talking to you as a parent. Please, let us avoid the abuse of drugs. Stop alcoholism.”
He cautioned that unchecked drug and alcohol abuse would have devastating consequences for families and the nation at large.
“It will finish our country. It will destroy the lives of our children,” he added.
Ruto was speaking during the Nyota Business Start-Up Capital disbursement ceremony for Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia and Turkana counties, held at the Eldoret Sports Club.
The programme targets young entrepreneurs with seed capital to help them start or expand small businesses, which the President said should be protected from being derailed by substance abuse.
Youths wait anxiously for confirmation messages during the Nyota Business Start-Up Capital disbursement ceremony at the Eldoret Sports Club, January 8, 2026. /PCS
Youths react with excitement after receiving confirmation texts during the Nyota Business Start-Up Capital disbursement ceremony at the Eldoret Sports Club, January 8, 2026. /PCS
The head of state said the government was intensifying efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse, noting that enforcement would increasingly focus on the powerful networks behind the trade rather than only low-level offenders.
“We are going to go after the commercial traders, not just the small people bearing the consequences,” Ruto said.
“We want the cartels, the brokers and the barons who are causing this problem to come to Kenya and face the law.”
President William Ruto with Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya and Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports CS Salim Mvurya at the Eldoret Sports Club for the Nyota Business Start-Up Capital disbursement ceremony, January 8, 2026. /PCSKenya remains a significant transit country for illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine, while domestic consumption continues to rise.
Young people form the majority of users and remain the most vulnerable to addiction, which in some cases escalates into severe mental health challenges.
Ruto said sustained enforcement, coupled with economic empowerment programmes targeting the youth, would be key to reversing the trend and securing the country’s future.
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