Nacada shuts 15 non-compliant rehabilitation centres

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has shut down 15 rehabilitation centres allegedly found to be operating in unsafe and unlawful conditions, following a nationwide inspection of facilities conducted in November 2025.

In a statement on Thursday, Nacada said the inspection covered 236 rehabilitation facilities across 36 counties, making it the most comprehensive assessment of the country’s addiction treatment capacity to date.

It was carried out under a Rapid Results Initiative by a multi-agency team.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has shut down 15 rehabilitation centres allegedly found to be operating in unsafe and unlawful conditions, following a nationwide inspection of facilities conducted in November 2025.

In a statement on Thursday, Nacada said the inspection covered 236 rehabilitation facilities across 36 counties, making it the most comprehensive assessment of the country’s addiction treatment capacity to date.

It was carried out under a Rapid Results Initiative by a multi-agency team.

“The exercise was conducted by a Multi-Agency Team comprising of relevant Government Agencies and 236 facilities were inspected across 36 Counties,” Nacada CEO Anthony Omerikwa said.

“The exercise provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of Kenya's addiction treatment and rehabilitation capacity.”

Of the facilities inspected, 135 were fully accredited and collectively offer nearly 3,800 residential bed space.

“These accredited centres, many providing Level 3 residential services, form the backbone of the country's treatment and recovery response,” the authority said.

Thirty centres were denied accreditation, while another 56 were found to have compliance gaps and will remain under strict monitoring.

The 15 centres ordered to shut down were cited for serious violations that posed direct risks to clients. Inspectors said found expired medication, poor hygiene standards, unsafe structures and a lack of qualified medical personnel in some of the facilities.

The authority also highlighted wider systemic gaps affecting the sector.

It noted that most accredited facilities are privately owned, making the cost of inpatient care out of reach for many households.

There is also a significant shortage of public outpatient and community-based services, as well as specialised rehabilitation centres for women and adolescents.

Nacada noted that more than 1.3 million Kenyans currently need treatment and rehabilitation for alcohol and drug use disorders, according to the latest national survey, a figure that underscores the strain on existing services.

The findings, the authority said, reinforce the urgency of the Presidential directive requiring each county to establish a public rehabilitation centre.

“These outcomes underscore the urgency of the Presidential directive to establish a rehabilitation centre in every county,” the authority said.

Nacada has urged county governments to prioritise accessible, affordable treatment facilities and called on development partners to invest in community-based and specialised services.

“A strong, inclusive continuum of care is essential to ensure every Kenyan can access recovery, restoration, and reintegration,” Omerikwa said.