Govt Explains Planned Crackdown On Airbnbs

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has issued a statement explaining why it is set to go after short-stay apartments in Kenya, also known popularly as Airbnbs.

In a statement to newsrooms, NACADA noted with growing concern the increasing trend where private rental spaces, particularly Airbnb accommodations, are being turned into drug dens.

According to the authority, 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.

NACADA revealed that in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, it has been conducting sustained crackdowns on illicit drug operations in entertainment venues, residential areas, and major urban centers.

"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," read the statement in part.

"Over the past year, multiple reports have emerged of young people having indulged in drugs in Airbnbs, 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.

A report by NACADA indicates that 23 percent 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.

"This situation calls for immediate action from all stakeholders, and we urge Airbnb hosts and property managers to exercise due diligence in screening guests and flagging any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities," added the authority.

NACADA reaffirmed its commitment to fighting drug and alcohol abuse in all forms, adding that it is intensifying surveillance, awareness campaigns, and collaborations with the police, county governments, and private sector players to curb this emerging threat.

Parents, guardians, and communities were further tasked to remain vigilant and actively engage young people in constructive activities to steer them away from the dangers of drug abuse.

"We call upon all Kenyans to report any suspected drug-related activities through NACADA's hotline 1192 which is FREE and available for 24 Hours," added the statement.

The authority's statement came just weeks after a report exposed a concerning trend; that 66.4 percent of university students in Kenya indicated that their friends were the main sources of drugs. 

If not friends, students also get their drugs from canteen/bar/premises within the neighbourhood at 59.3 percent with fellow students within the institution following suit at 56 percent, findings that outline the influence of social circles in university settings in terms of drug and substance abuse in the country.