President William Ruto has proposed introducing the death penalty for people involved in the sale and trafficking of hard drugs and illicit alcohol. He said the move aims to address Kenya’s growing substance abuse crisis.
Ruto made the remarks on Saturday, January 3, during an engagement ceremony in Uasin Gishu County. He said the government is drafting a new law that would classify drug trafficking as a capital offence punishable by hanging.
Government Seeks Tougher Punishment
According to the president, existing penalties have failed to deter traffickers. As a result, communities and families continue to suffer serious social and economic harm.
“For people involved in illicit alcohol and hard drugs, we are changing the law,” Ruto said. He noted that previous penalties limited punishment to fines of about one million Kenyan shillings. He added that the new law would introduce the death penalty.
In addition, the proposed legislation would allow authorities to seize assets linked to drug and alcohol trade. These assets include vehicles and property acquired through illegal activities.
Parliament Asked to Support the Proposal
Ruto urged Members of Parliament to back the proposed law. He described drug and alcohol abuse as a national crisis affecting more than five million Kenyans.
He warned that substance abuse threatens Kenya’s social fabric and long-term economic development. Therefore, he said the country must adopt tougher measures.
Strengthening Law Enforcement
The proposal follows earlier announcements to strengthen law enforcement. In his New Year’s address on December 31, Ruto said the government will establish a specialised Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The new unit will operate at the level of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit. It will focus on intelligence gathering, surveillance, forensic analysis and financial investigations.
Cabinet Support and Regional Context
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen supported the proposal. He said current fines have failed to curb drug trafficking.
Murkomen noted that countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia and China impose the death penalty for serious drug offences. He argued that Kenya cannot achieve its development goals while drug abuse destroys its most productive population.
He added that the crackdown will target major drug barons and illicit alcohol operators. Authorities will also focus on rising drug use among young people from affluent families.
Substance Abuse Statistics Raise Alarm
Official data shows that one in every six Kenyans aged 15 to 65 uses at least one substance. Alcohol remains the most widely abused, affecting more than 3.2 million people.
The government says the proposed law forms part of a broader strategy to protect public health and restore social stability.
