NACADA has shut down a rehabilitation centre in Meru following reports of inhumane treatment of patients. The raid, conducted on September 24, was prompted by complaints from the public and forms part of a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed facilities.
During the operation, the authority discovered alarming violations, including neglect, overcrowding, and gross misuse of patients’ rights. Patients at the centre reportedly faced a lack of food, inadequate medical care, and unsanitary conditions, which posed serious health risks. Some were forced to sleep on the floor using thorn blankets, while most had no access to doctors or counsellors.
Further investigations revealed that certain patients had been confined to the facility for over a year without any contact with their families. NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa condemned the actions, warning that the authority will not tolerate illegal operations that exploit vulnerable individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
“We will not allow unscrupulous individuals to exploit the pain of families and the vulnerability of people struggling with substance use disorders. Operating unlicensed facilities under such deplorable conditions is not only unlawful but deeply immoral,” Omerikwa stated.
Following the raid, all centre staff, including the manager, were apprehended, while the facility owner remains at large. The Meru Directorate of Criminal Investigations is currently leading the ongoing investigation.
All patients were rescued and are currently under temporary custody at Meru Police Station, with families being contacted to ensure their safe return.
This action comes just months after NACADA shut down another rehab centre in Birikani, Kajiado East, on May 26 for multiple operational violations. The repeated closures underscore the authority’s commitment to ensuring that rehabilitation centres operate within legal and ethical standards, prioritizing the welfare and rights of patients.
NACADA continues to urge the public to report any suspected unlicensed rehabilitation facilities, emphasizing the importance of safe, licensed, and professional care for individuals battling substance use disorders.
