Mkono Kwa Mkono is a community-based organisation established to primarily address the persistent problem of drug and substance abuse in the Kenyan Coast Region, specifically in Kilifi County. Established in January 2024 and registered in April 2024, Mkono Kwa Mkono provides a comprehensive approach to drug and substance abuse control that includes prevention and mitigation, treatment, as well as after-treatment and rehabilitation services — integrating the efforts of various stakeholders, including government agencies and non-governmental institutions.
Mkono Kwa Mkono provides preventive services to young people who are vulnerable to drug and substance use, and a range of services to individuals struggling with addiction. These services include counselling, referrals to rehabilitation, and aftercare services.
By partnering with relevant government agencies, Mkono Kwa Mkono provides comprehensive and integrated care through education and awareness campaigns targeting young people vulnerable to drug and substance abuse. Drug and substance abuse remains a significant problem in the Kenyan coastal region, affecting individuals across all age groups and socio-economic backgrounds — Kilifi County has been red-flagged as a hotspot by various studies and actors.
Drug and substance misuse is associated with a wide range of health and social problems, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, various cancers, substance use disorder, mental health disorders, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), driving under the influence (DUI) and other transportation-related injuries, sexual assault, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, intentional and unintentional injuries, and property crimes.
Given the impact of substance misuse on public health and the increased risk of long-term medical consequences, it is critical to prevent substance misuse from starting and to identify and intervene early with those who have already begun. The national and county governments have put in place several programmes aimed at mitigating drug and substance abuse, and these have been effective to a significant extent.
However, numerous challenges remain — ineffective and inefficient approaches, inadequate funding, limited facilities, inadequate staffing, limited public awareness, and corruption. Another notable gap exists in access to treatment facilities for youth, the unemployed, and those living in poverty.
It is with this background that Mkono Kwa Mkono joins the effort to strengthen preventive programmes by targeting high-risk populations like youth and women, and incorporating evidence-based practices in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
