Kenya:Short-Term Rentals Emerging as Hubs for Illegal Drug Activities, Nacada Warns

By Samuel Ouma

Kenya’s National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has raised concerns over the increasing misuse of short-term rental accommodations known as Airbnb for illicit drug-related activities.

According to Nacada, recent investigations have uncovered that these premises are being exploited for drug-fueled parties, illegal alcohol consumption, and, in extreme cases, fatal overdoses.
Nacada CEO Anthony Omerikwa stated that the agency, in collaboration with law enforcement, has been actively cracking down on illicit drug operations in entertainment joints, residential areas, and urban centres. However, increased enforcement has pushed illegal drug dealers to more discreet locations, including short-term rentals, in an attempt to evade detection.

“In the past year, there have been multiple reports of young people consuming drugs in these private rentals, with some incidents tragically resulting in fatal overdoses,” Omerikwa noted.
Nairobi has witnessed a surge in such cases, sparking urgent calls for stricter monitoring and regulation of short-term rental spaces.

A Nacada report further revealed that 23 per cent of young adults aged 18-24 in urban areas have engaged in drug use at social gatherings, with private rental venues accounting for a significant share.

“This issue requires swift intervention from all relevant stakeholders. We urge short-term rental hosts and property managers to conduct thorough screening of guests and report any suspicious activities to authorities,” Omerikwa noted.

Nacada stated its commitment to combating drug and alcohol abuse through intensified surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with law enforcement agencies, county governments, and private sector stakeholders.

The authority also called on parents, guardians, and community members to remain vigilant and actively engage young people in meaningful activities to prevent them from falling into drug abuse.