NACADA Announces Winners Of Writing Competition Out Of 410 Students
The competition attracted an impressive 410 participants from 30 counties, with 301 girls and 109 boys submitting thought-provoking essays on tackling drug and alcohol abuse in schools.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has unveiled the winners of the National Essay Writing Competition for High Schools, a nationwide initiative aimed at engaging students in critical discussions on substance use prevention.
The competition attracted an impressive 410 participants from 30 counties, with 301 girls and 109 boys submitting thought-provoking essays on tackling drug and alcohol abuse in schools.
According to a press release sent to newsrooms, students explored key themes, including the role of social media in substance use, youth empowerment, parental influence, school safety measures, and peer support for addiction recovery.
Meet the Winners
In the English category, Ivanka Blessing Odera from Moi Girls Isinya clinched the top spot, followed by Vallary Racheal from St. Mary’s Mumias Girls High School in second place and Wesley Lambaric Mmbaya from Njiiri School in third.
For the Kiswahili category, Rhoda Kanoti from St. Mary’s Girls Igoji emerged as the overall winner, with Maryanne Wangeci Wambugu from Birithia Girls Secondary School and Joy Chepchumba from Kipsigis Girls High School securing second and third places, respectively.
Odiero Dancan Ochieng from Joyland Special School Kisumu receives his prize in the special recognition category. /NACADA
Recognizing inclusivity, the competition also had a special category for students with disabilities. Odiero Dancan Ochieng from Joyland Special Secondary School in Kisumu won first place, while Okumu Sarah Mical came in second.
Students Propose Bold Solutions to Curb Drug Abuse
Beyond recognizing literary excellence, the competition also provided valuable recommendations from students on how to combat drug abuse in schools. These proposals included:
- Deploying trained sniffer dogs and conducting random dormitory checks
- Installing security and surveillance cameras in school compounds
- Expelling students caught with drugs through strict enforcement policies
- Using advanced detection machines to identify illicit substances
- Integrating drug prevention programs into extracurricular activities
- Leveraging branded merchandise as advocacy tools
Speaking at the award ceremony held during National Substance Use Prevention Week in Nairobi, NACADA CEO, Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, praised the students for their powerful essays, calling them "young visionaries" in the fight against drug abuse.
“These young visionaries have penned essays that challenge norms, inspire action, and ignite hope for a drug-free Kenya. Their creativity and dedication remind us that prevention is power and that young people are key to achieving a healthier, safer society,” said Dr Omerikwa.
Dr. Omerikwa emphasized that the competition was not just about recognizing talent but also about empowering youth to become change agents in their communities.
He encouraged more students to participate in future editions and reaffirmed NACADA’s commitment to collaborating with schools, teachers, and parents in addressing substance abuse.
Looking Ahead
With the growing challenge of drug abuse among Kenyan youth, initiatives like this competition are proving to be crucial in shaping a proactive and informed generation.
NACADA has called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure a safer, drug-free environment for students across the country.
