NACADA raises alarm over Airbnb turning into drug havens
NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa said recent incidents have revealed that these premises are being misused for drug-fueled parties, illicit alcohol consumption, and, in some cases, tragic fatalities due to substance overdoses.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Drugs and Substance Abuse (NACADA) is now warning that short-stay accommodation facilities popularly known as Airbnb are being turned into drug havens in the country.
In a statement released Monday evening, NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa said recent incidents have revealed that these premises are being misused for drug-fueled parties, illicit alcohol consumption, and, in some cases, tragic fatalities due to substance overdoses.
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"Over the past year, multiple reports have emerged of young people having indulged in drugs in Airbnb, in some incidences leading to deadly overdose. In Nairobi, a string of such cases has raised alarms about the urgent need for firmer monitoring and regulation of short-term rental accommodations," he said.
The revelations follow a recent report by NACADA indicating that 23% of young adults aged 18- 24 in urban areas have engaged in drug use at social gatherings, with private venues such as Airbnbs accounting for a significant percentage of these cases.
The authority attributed the Airbnb trend to sustained crackdowns on illicit drug operations in entertainment venues, residential areas, and major urban centres.
"This enforcement pressure has forced individuals involved in the illegal drug trade to shift their activities to seemingly discreet locations such as Airbnbs where they attempt to evade scrutiny," said Dr Omerikwa.
Consequently, he said the situation calls for immediate action from all stakeholders, even as he called on Airbnb hosts and property managers to exercise due diligence in screening guests and flagging any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities and urged Kenyans to report any suspected drug-related activities through NACADA's free hotline 1192 at any time of the day.
"NACADA remains committed to fighting drug and alcohol abuse in all forms. We are intensifying surveillance, awareness campaigns, and collaborations with the police, county governments, and private sector players to curb this emerging threat. Parents, guardians, and communities must also remain vigilant and actively engage young people in constructive activities to steer them away from the dangers of drug abuse," he concluded.
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