Nairobi tops in bhang consumption

By Peter Ochieng

Nairobi has been ranked the top county in as far as consumption of bhang, otherwise known as cannabis or weed is concerned.

Results of the national survey on Status of Drugs and Substance Use (DSU) in Kenya 2022, show that Nairobi has the highest prevalence of cannabis use at 6.3 per cent.

The report released by Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Interior indicate that Nairobi is followed by a distant by Nyanza at 2.4 per cent as Coast region close the top three bracket at 1.9 per cent.

At least one in every 53 Kenyans is currently using bhang, also known as marijuana.

"One in every 53 Kenyans aged 15 – 65 years were currently using cannabis," reads the report in part.

That means over 518, 000 Kenyans. Predictably, more men than women are using marijuana.

"One in every 26 males aged 15 – 65 years (475,770) and 1 in every 333 females (43,037) were currently using cannabis," the report states.

The number of people using the drug, the report says has increased by 90 per cent in the past 5 years, majorly caused by misinformation on the harm of using it.

However, the most abused drug in the country remains alcohol, followed by tobacco.

"A drug and substance-abusing population is prone to challenges of mental health, poverty and crime; prompting the disruption of the socio-economic structures and moral fabric," said PS Omollo.

He said the government in partnership with other stakeholders, has introduced a series of measures, both in our Education Curriculum and Community Service, keen to restrain this vice and its adverse effects on the society.