NACADA Seeks Specialised Drug Courts in Embu, Eldoret and Mombasa
NACADA Board Chairperson Stephen Mairori made the proposal during a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome, where he commended the Judiciary for establishing specialised courts to handle cases involving the possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
NACADA, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, has urged the Kenyan Judiciary to create extra specialized courts to tackle drug offenses and combat narcotics trafficking and organized crime. Stephen Mairori, the NACADA Board Chairperson, made the suggestion during a meeting with Chief Justice Martha Koome, praising the Judiciary for establishing specialized courts dealing with possession and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Mairori suggested setting up specialized magistrates’ courts in Embu, Eldoret, and reinstating Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa as a specialized facility for the Coast region. He also proposed creating a High Court with specialized jurisdiction over organized crime to improve the handling of intricate criminal cases. Mairori emphasized that the expansion of specialized courts should be paired with judicial officer and court users' capacity building on alcohol and drug abuse.
He advocated for joint training programs, research, and information sharing on drug abuse and crime data to bolster evidence-based decision-making and enhance the administration of justice. Additionally, he proposed joint public education and prevention initiatives targeting substance abuse and decreasing drug-related crime. Mairori also called for closer collaboration between NACADA and the Judiciary, such as developing frameworks for establishing recovery treatment courts, which would blend accountability for drug-related offenses with treatment and rehabilitation for eligible offenders dealing with substance use disorders.
Chief Justice Koome expressed her agreement with the proposals, noting the Judiciary's commitment to strengthening cooperation with NACADA in combating drug abuse and organized crime. Koome highlighted the significance of training, data sharing, and public education in elevating the justice system's response to substance abuse. The two institutions agreed to boost inter-agency collaboration, with technical teams to meet and develop frameworks for training, information sharing, and the proposed specialized courts.
The discussions aim to outline the next steps toward expanding the Judiciary's capacity to manage drug-related cases and strengthening coordination between justice sector institutions and agencies responsible for preventing substance abuse.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
