President William Ruto has proposed the introduction of the death penalty for individuals engaging in drug trafficking.
Speaking on Saturday, January 3, Ruto said individuals involved in the sale of hard drugs should face the most severe punishment under the law.
“People who are selling heroin and cocaine are destroying our children. Those who are selling don’t use them; their own children don’t use them, yet they sell them to other people’s children. The past law stated that such people should be fined Sh1 million. We are now changing the law to make it a capital offence. Those found guilty would face the ultimate penalty,” Ruto said.
Ruto spoke during the engagement ceremony of Sandra Chesergon, daughter of Moiben MP Phylis Bartoo, in Kimumu, Uasin Gishu County.
The President condemned traffickers for profiting from addiction while protecting their own families from harm, describing the practice as morally indefensible and a threat to the nation’s future.
He said the proposed legislation will also allow the state to confiscate assets linked to the sale of illicit alcohol and drugs, including vehicles and other property acquired through proceeds of the illegal trade.
“The assets of these individuals, including the vehicles they use left, right and centre to transport illegal alcohol, will be confiscated. If you are caught transporting illicit alcohol, that vehicle will become government property,” he added.
The President told MPs that the proposal will soon be tabled in Parliament for review.
“Members of Parliament, listen carefully and prepare yourselves; we are bringing this law to Parliament. It is not possible to continue like this when so many children have been lost,” he said.
He emphasised the scale of substance abuse and gambling addiction as a national crisis.
“It cannot be that five million people in Kenya are affected. That is far too many. We cannot continue on this path,” he said, adding that consultations are ongoing with the Attorney General, NACADA officials, and regulators on stricter gambling laws.
“I am ready to deal with the consequences. We need to have a country of order. So many families and parents are going through hell because of drugs, cocaine and alcohol abuse. As a society led by government, we must stand up together and say no to drugs.”
In his New Year’s address, the President described alcohol and drug abuse as a national development and security emergency. Citing official data, Ruto noted that one in six Kenyans aged 15–65, more than 4.7 million people, use at least one substance of abuse.
“Alcohol and drug abuse have become a clear and present danger to Kenya’s health, security and economic future. One in every three Kenyan men in this age group uses drugs or alcohol. Among young adults aged 25 to 35, our most productive population, one in five is affected,” he said.
2025 NACADA data indicates alcohol is the most abused substance at 3.2 million users, followed by tobacco at 2.3 million, and khat (miraa/muguka), with youth aged 25–35 the most affected group at over 1.5 million users.
