Bhang Use in Kenya Rises by 90% in Four Years, Nearly One Million Kenyans Now Using Cannabis

Cannabis use, commonly known as bhang, has increased sharply in Kenya over the last four years, with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) estimating that nearly one million Kenyans are now using the drug.

According to the agency, bhang use rose by 90 percent between 2020 and 2024. The report estimates that about one in every 53 Kenyans uses cannabis, making it one of the country’s growing public health concerns.

NACADA has urged parents, schools, community leaders and government agencies to work together to reduce drug abuse, especially among young people. The authority says early prevention and awareness campaigns are important in protecting teenagers from the dangers of substance abuse.

The warning comes after a large international study involving more than 463,000 adolescents found that teenagers who use cannabis have a much higher chance of developing serious mental health conditions later in life.

Researchers followed participants aged 13 to 17 years into early adulthood and found that young cannabis users were about twice as likely to develop psychotic and bipolar disorders compared to those who did not use the drug. The study also found that cannabis use often happened about two years before these mental health conditions were diagnosed.

In Kenya, NACADA says many young people begin experimenting with illegal drugs between the ages of 13 and 15, raising concerns about the long-term effects on their health, education and future.

The agency is encouraging parents to talk openly with their children about the risks of drug use and to seek help early for anyone showing signs of substance abuse.

As cannabis use continues to rise, health experts say stronger education campaigns and community support will play a key role in reducing drug abuse across the country.

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