Boost for East Africa’s fight against drugs as Kenya launches first wastewater study

The fight against alcohol and substance abuse in East Africa has received a significant boost after Kenya became the first country in the region to launch a comprehensive wastewater-based epidemiology study aimed at tracking drug consumption trends through scientific analysis of sewage systems.

The pioneering report, unveiled by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), introduces an advanced surveillance approach that uses wastewater analysis to detect traces of illicit drugs and psychoactive substances, offering policymakers a real-time, evidence-based tool for drug control.

Described by experts as a game changer in drug surveillance, the study involved the collection and laboratory analysis of 152 wastewater samples drawn from 12 drug-use hotspot counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Isiolo, Nyeri, Kilifi and Garissa. Scientists employed advanced techniques such as Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), UV-Vis Spectrophotometry, and colorimetric testing to identify drug residues circulating within municipal sewer systems.

The findings point to worrying shifts in Kenya’s drug landscape, particularly the rising presence of synthetic drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). Substances detected include methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), synthetic cathinones commonly known as “bath salts,” benzofurans, alpha-ethyltryptamine, psilocybin, and DMT. The report also raises concerns over possible clandestine laboratories contributing to the local production of synthetic stimulants.

Speaking during the launch, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa described the findings as alarming, noting that Kenya is experiencing a rapid evolution in drug use patterns.

He said the country can no longer be viewed solely as a transit route for narcotics, as emerging evidence points to growing local consumption—and potentially local manufacture—of synthetic substances.

“This study provides concrete evidence that synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances are gaining a foothold in our communities,” Dr. Omerikwa said. “We must move beyond traditional plant-based drug enforcement and urgently establish a National Wastewater Drug Surveillance and Early Warning System.”

The report further reveals that many illicit drugs in circulation are being heavily adulterated with dangerous substances. Heroin samples were found mixed with caffeine, diazepam, chloroquine, and dextromethorphan, while cocaine samples contained levamisole and ketamine—combinations linked to severe toxicity and heightened overdose risks.

Researchers also noted a rise in poly-drug use, with cases involving heroin combined with cannabis, and alcohol mixed with prescription sedatives such as Rohypnol.

A growing trend of cannabis-infused edibles, particularly “weed cookies,” was also identified among young people, mirroring consumption patterns seen in Europe and North America. Additionally, the report highlights increasing misuse of prescription medications among students and young adults aged 13 to 25 years.

In response, NACADA has recommended the establishment of a National Wastewater Drug Surveillance and Early Warning System to enable real-time monitoring of emerging drug trends. The Authority is also calling for strengthened forensic and toxicology capacity, enhanced border and digital trafficking surveillance, the creation of an adulterant alert system, expansion of naloxone distribution programmes, and intensified public awareness campaigns targeting youth and vulnerable groups.

The launch of the report positions Kenya as a regional leader in evidence-based drug control, offering a scientific foundation for more targeted interventions, stronger policy formulation, and improved public health responses in the wider East African region’s fight against alcohol and substance abuse.