Comedian Vincent Mwasia alias Chipukeezy, has been elected the new vice-chair of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) board.
Chipukeezy made the announcement on his social media handles on Tuesday, March 23. The comedian revealed that NACADA board had elected him as the new vice-chair - and was determined to carry his mandate with dignity and dedication.
“Since His Excellency the President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed me as a young director to the NACADA board, it has been an honour and an amazing opportunity to serve the nation.
“I take this opportunity to thank the board for electing me as the new vice-chairperson of NACADA Kenya. I will continue serving the nation,” he announced.
The comedian will deputise Mabel Opanda Imbuga, a renowned professor and scientist who has made great strides in the Kenyan education sector.
Mabel is the widow of the late Francis Imbuga, who was a well-known writer, literature scholar, teacher, and professor at Kenyatta University.
Chipukeezy was first appointed to NACADA by President Kenyatta in June 2018 as an artist with a passion for community outreach programs targeting the youth in and out of learning institutions to inculcate behaviour change and mentorship.
"I got this job because I was the right person for the job. I think the president was looking for a young person who can represent the young people, and be able to talk to them. I think that over the years, that is what I've been doing.
"I'm not saying that I am the best or the most hardworking person, but I think, probably somebody noticed what I've been doing," he explained during a past interview.
Chipukeezy has been highlighting that stakeholders have tended to focus on known substances like alcohol, tobacco, bhang, cocaine and heroin but never consider emerging trends.
Research conducted by Kahuthia-Gathu, R. Okwarah, P. Gakunju, R. Thungu, J. of Kenyatta University, revealed the extent to which the emerging trends in drug abuse had taken root in the country.
"Forty-one emerging drugs comprising of one or combinations of drugs were recorded, with Nairobi recording a significantly higher number of emerging drugs than Mombasa," the research paper stated.
"There is a need for all stakeholders to review the alcohol and Drug Abuse policy, to include new and emerging drugs in order to mitigate illnesses deaths and associated with emerging drugs," the researchers advised.
