ISSUP Kenya members actively participated in the National Substance Use Prevention Week Summit, held on 12th–13th February 2026 at the Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete. The event, convened by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), brought together policymakers, prevention, treatment and recovery practitioners, civil society, youth leaders, students, parents and community stakeholders.
The Summit was officially opened by Chief Guest Bishop Dr. Stephen Mairori, Chairperson of the NACADA Board. Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, CEO NACADA, and other invited speakers addressed participants at the Summit. NACADA senior management, under the guidance of Dr. Yvonne Olando, Director of Public Education and Advocacy, and Judith Twala, Deputy Director of Public Awareness and Advocacy, coordinated the Summit alongside their teams and partner organisations, ensuring a seamless and impactful event.
ISSUP Kenya members who contributed included Catherine Muthiani, Vice President ISSUP Kenya and Training Manager at SAPTA; Ms. Nkatha Mwenda, Chair PR & Media ISSUP Kenya and Chairperson of Graceful Youth Recovery Centre; Sammy Ombisa, Secretary ISSUP Kenya and Founder Fahari Wellness; Catherine Ngugi from PCEA Rehabilitation Centre, Nakuru; and Dr. Susan Gitau, APRAK Chairperson and Founder of ELEWA Ulevi, who is also a founding member of ISSUP Kenya, to mention afew.
Over the two-day Summit, discussions and sessions focused on evidence-based prevention strategies across multiple sectors. Topics included prevention in families and schools, promoting healthy relationships, early intervention, and resilience-building among children and adolescents; community and workplace prevention, addressing substance use risks in local communities and professional settings; recovery support and peer-led initiatives, sharing experiences and strategies for sustaining recovery; policy, advocacy, and multi-sector collaboration, strengthening partnerships between government, civil society, and community organizations; and innovative approaches, leveraging social media, digital campaigns, and data to enhance outreach.
A highlight of the Summit was the Country-themed Sober Dinner, where participants came dressed in cowgirl and cowboy attire. The evening featured fun entertainment and inspiring activities, creating an atmosphere of celebration and connection. The key message of the dinner was clear: meaningful networking, joy, and dialogue can thrive in sober spaces, reinforcing the power of prevention and recovery.
ISSUP Kenya also acknowledges partner organisations, including ELEWA Ulevi, BlueCross Kenya, World Vision, SCAD Kenya, Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme, UNODC, and county government representatives, whose collaboration with NACADA contributed to the Summit’s success.
ISSUP Kenya remains committed to advancing professional standards, promoting evidence-based prevention, and supporting multi-sector collaboration for healthier communities.
Prevention is not an event — it is a sustained national effort.
#NationalPreventionWeek #EmpoweredCommunities #BrighterFutures #SubstanceUsePrevention #SoberInspiration #NacadaKenya #ISSUPKenya
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