President William Ruto has renewed the term of Bishop Dr. Stephen Mairori as the Chairperson of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). The reappointment signals the President’s confidence in Mairori’s "take no prisoners" approach to the drug menace.

The decision comes as the government intensifies its crackdown on illicit brew and narcotics, particularly in the Mt Kenya and Coast regions. Mairori has been at the forefront of the multi-agency operation that has seen thousands of liters of ethanol seized and dens destroyed.

Continuity in Strategy

NACADA welcomed the move, terming it a validation of the "whole-of-government" strategy. Under Mairori, the agency has shifted focus from mere rehabilitation to aggressive enforcement and supply reduction.

• The Mandate: Mairori’s new three-year term will focus on two critical areas: regulating the ethanol supply chain to curb second-generation alcohol, and combating the rising use of synthetic drugs among Gen Z.
• Political Context: The appointment is also seen as a move to placate the church leadership, a key constituency for the President. Bishop Mairori is a respected figure in the evangelical community.
• The Challenge: Despite successes, drug abuse remains a "national security threat." Mairori’s task is to ensure the current crackdown does not fizzle out like previous ones.