Former National Social Security Fund (NSSF) boss, Dr. Anthony Omerikwa has been named the new National Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) CEO.
In a statement, NACADA announced that Omerikwa has taken over from Prof. John Muteti, who has been the CEO in acting capacity.
According to the statement, Prof. Muteti will thus revert back to his substantive position of Director, Policy and Planning at the Authority.
“Welcome to the campaign Daktari,” NACADA congratulated Omerikwa on his appointment.
Omerikwa served as the managing trustee of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for three years until 2022.
He had previously served in an acting capacity as managing trustee, bringing his stint at the helm of NSSF to 7 years.
Omerikwa left NSSF in 2022 at a time when the pension fund was in transition.
He will now steer NACADA in the fight against drug abuse, at a time when Kenya and other East African countries are grappling with illicit drug trade.
During his stint as acting CEO, Prof. Muteti in October lamented that East African countries are now major destinations for illegal drug trade, as well as transit hubs.
Kenya continues to grapple with cross-border drug trafficking with reported seizures of drugs worth millions across border points.
Muteti also highlighted in October, that within the country, a shortage of heroin has forced drug addicts to turn to medicine used by cancer patients.
NACADA recently revealed that Kenyans have a drinking problem with alcohol being the most abused drug, followed by tobacco, miraa, and bhang.
