President William Ruto has made a fresh appointment in government, reappointing Reverend Dr Stephen Mairori, EBS, as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). The new appointment will run for a period of three years and takes effect from January 20, 2026.
Dr Mairori is a well-known religious leader and public servant. He previously served as the Senior Pastor of the African Inland Church (AIC) Milimani in Nairobi and also held the position of Bishop of the Diaspora Area Church Council within the AIC. His reappointment signals continuity in leadership at the national drug control agency.
During his previous term at NACADA, Dr Mairori oversaw major policy and operational reforms aimed at reducing alcohol and drug abuse across the country.
His leadership placed strong emphasis on prevention, community involvement, and stricter enforcement of regulations related to substance abuse.
One of the key initiatives introduced under his tenure was the Community-Based Rehabilitation framework. This approach focused on diverting non-violent drug offenders away from the criminal justice system and instead placing them into treatment and health-based support programmes.
As part of this strategy, county governments were supported to establish Alcohol and Drug Control Committees to coordinate public education, prevention efforts, and community-level interventions.
NACADA also strengthened its collaboration with religious institutions and faith leaders during this period. These partnerships played a significant role in providing counselling services and raising public awareness on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, especially among young people and vulnerable groups.
In addition, several alcohol control measures were introduced while Dr Mairori was at the helm. These included a ban on online alcohol sales, stricter licensing requirements for supermarkets and outlets operating in residential areas, and proposals to raise the minimum legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years.
Alcohol-free buffer zones were also established around schools, churches, and hospitals to protect communities and promote safer environments.
The authority further rolled out nationwide public awareness campaigns, including activities marking the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse (IDADA), which was hosted in Embu County. These campaigns focused on prevention, early intervention, and the social and economic effects of substance abuse.
On the research front, NACADA commissioned several studies in partnership with academic institutions such as USIU-Africa. These studies helped track emerging substance use trends and provided data to guide policy decisions and future interventions.
The agency also earned recognition for strong financial management and accountability. In 2024, NACADA received a certificate at the Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards, highlighting its commitment to transparent and responsible use of public resources.
Earlier this year, President Ruto also made several other key appointments across major state agencies as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery.
At the Public Service Commission (PSC), he appointed a seven-member Selection Panel tasked with recruiting a new Vice-Chairperson and commission members.
The panel includes Arthur Osiya, Oscar Eredi, Professor Nura Mohammed, and Grace Wairimu Kamau, among others.
At the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), James Ndung’u Mureu was appointed Chairperson for a three-year term.
Silas Otieno Jonyo was named Chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) council, with his term set to run until 2029. Meanwhile, Joseph Kipchumba was appointed to lead the National Mining Corporation, a position he will hold until 2027.
President Ruto also appointed Bishop Joseph Kagunda as the Chairperson of the Anti-Doping Agency board for a three-year term, further reinforcing leadership across key government institutions.
Join Kenya Youths Forum Official WhatsApp Channel
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
