NACADA arrests suspected campus drug supplier in Nakuru night raid

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has arrested a suspect believed to have been supplying drugs to university students during an intelligence-led operation in Njoro, Nakuru County.

The overnight raid, conducted on Thursday by NACADA officers working with other security agencies, targeted a residence linked to the distribution of cannabis within the Egerton University area and nearby student settlements. Authorities said the operation followed weeks of surveillance.

Investigators recovered a significant quantity of cannabis hidden in underground bunkers dug within the compound. Additional packages were found concealed inside animal pens, which officers believe were used to mask the smell and avoid detection.

The suspect was arrested at the scene and remains in custody as investigations continue. Detectives are now pursuing possible accomplices and supply networks suspected to extend beyond the county.

NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa said the operation forms part of ongoing enforcement targeting drug distribution around learning institutions, which authorities consider high-risk zones for substance abuse.

“We are deliberately targeting traffickers operating near schools, colleges, and universities because safe learning environments are central to prevention. When drugs infiltrate academic spaces, they destroy futures, compromise performance, and endanger lives,” he said.

Dr. Omerikwa linked the operation to findings from NACADA’s recently released national survey on the status of drug use among university students, which revealed that approximately 23%–26% of university students have used cannabis at least once in their lifetime.

“Many users report first experimenting with cannabis in late secondary school or early university years. This transition risk directly contributes to declining academic performance among users and exposes them to life-threatening health consequences that can permanently derail their aspirations,” he stated.

Officials said surveillance and enforcement around institutions of higher learning will be intensified as investigations into the case continue.