Date of Event: June 26, 2025

Location: Mathare, Nairobi

Organizing Body: Nairobi Community Work Group

Key Partners: Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC), NACADA, Mathare Deputy County Commissioner’s Office, MPI Kenya, Lions Club of Nairobi Trailblazer, Nairobi Liquor Board, Plan International, World Vision, Oasis of Love, Child Space Kenya, Baraka Health Net, SCAD, Health Facilities and Rehabilitation Centers, Kenya Red Cross Society, Kenya Scouts, Community Health Promoters, Harmony Institute, Mathare Vocational Training Centre, Law Enforcement Agencies, Media Houses, CHRD Kenya, Kenya Girl Guides Association, Stawi Initiative, Reach Foundation, KIOO cha Jamii Initiative, Mathare Aiders, Jitahidi Empowerment Organization, MCADO, Kijiji Yetu, Network for Youth Advocacy, Boy Child Unlimited Empowerment Program and Local Schools.

I.    Executive Summary

On June 26, 2025, the Mathare community successfully hosted a comprehensive awareness event to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The initiative, spearheaded by the Nairobi Community Working Group on Drugs and Substance Abuse, which MSJC is part of, focused primarily on sensitizing school-going children and the broader community on the grave dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The event commenced with a vibrant community march through Mabatini and Mlango Kubwa Wards, culminating in an open baraza at the Mathare Deputy County Commissioner’s grounds. The activities highlighted prevention, treatment, and recovery, reinforcing the community’s united front against substance abuse and its associated crimes.

II.    Background and Rationale

Informal settlements in Nairobi, including Mathare, continue to bear the brunt of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. These issues perpetuate a vicious cycle of poverty, crime, deteriorating health, and social breakdown. Recognizing this complex challenge, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking provides a critical platform for raising awareness and fostering collective action.

This event was particularly crucial for Mathare’s primary school children, who are among the most vulnerable to the realities of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. By engaging them directly, the initiative aimed to instill early awareness, build resilience, and empower them to resist initiation into drug abuse, aligning with the broader social justice mission of protecting human rights and fostering healthier communities. The event’s theme, “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All!“, underscored the multi-faceted approach required to tackle this menace.

III.    Objectives of the Event

The event aimed to achieve the following objectives:

1. Raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nairobi Eastlands Informal Settlements.
   1. Promote community-driven prevention strategies to reduce drug initiation among youth and vulnerable populations in Eastlands.
   1. Facilitate access to treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
   1. Encourage recovery and social reintegration through support groups and vocational training.
   1. Mobilize stakeholders, including government, NGOs, health providers, law enforcement, and community leaders, to strengthen the drug response framework in Nairobi Region.

IV.      Event Implementation and Activities

The event unfolded in two main phases: a community awareness march and an open community dialogue (baraza) at the DCC grounds.

1. Community Awareness March

The day began with a vibrant awareness walk flagged off from the Mathare Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) offices.

• Participants: Hundreds of primary school pupils from various Mathare schools, accompanied by their teachers, community organizers, community leaders, activists, human rights defenders, and parents, formed the core of the procession. Their enthusiastic participation, carrying banners with anti-drug messages, symbolized the community’s united stance.
  • Route: The march proceeded through Mau Mau Road to Mathare 3C, engaging residents along the way with songs, chants, and messages of hope and triumph against drugs.
  • Symbolism: The involvement of school children was highly symbolic, highlighting the community’s commitment to safeguarding its youngest members through education and supportive environments. A Brass Band added to the festive yet serious tone of the march.

B.   Symposium at the DCC grounds.

Upon returning to the DCC grounds, the following key activities took place:

• Opening Ceremony: Welcome remarks by community leaders and DCC officials set the tone, followed by a keynote address on the event’s theme and the local drug abuse context.

Awareness and Education Sessions:

• Health professionals delivered simplified presentations tailored for a primary school audience, explaining the science of addiction and the dangers of various substances in an accessible manner.
  • Testimonies from recovered individuals were shared, inspiring hope and demonstrating that recovery is achievable. These stories were presented in a way that resonated with the young audience.
  • Entertainment: Entertainment groups, including local artists and performers, delivered anti-drug messages through music, dance, and a catwalk, making the learning

experience engaging and memorable for the children.

V.      Key Observations and Immediate Impact

• High Engagement: The children’s active participation in the march, their enthusiastic chants, and their attentiveness during the education sessions were highly notable. This demonstrated a strong receptiveness to the messages.
• Community Solidarity: The event successfully mobilized a diverse range of community members and stakeholders, fostering a sense of collective responsibility in addressing drug abuse.
• Increased Awareness: The simplified, direct messages delivered through various mediums (march, speeches, entertainment) are expected to have significantly enhanced community knowledge and awareness, particularly among the primary school children, about the dangers of drugs.
• Positive Reinforcement: The provision of milk and the focus on children’s welfare

reinforced a positive, caring environment, making the anti-drug message more impactful and less intimidating.

• Visibility: The march through the wards ensured broad visibility of the campaign, reaching residents who might not have attended the main event.

VI.       Lessons Learned

• Child-Centric Approach: The success of engaging school children underscores the effectiveness of tailoring messages and activities to specific age groups.
• Community Ownership: The strong involvement of local leaders and community groups was crucial for the event’s reach and impact.
• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The diverse range of partners, from government agencies to local CBOs, demonstrated the power of a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.

VII.        Conclusion

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking awareness event in Mathare was a resounding success, particularly in its engagement with primary school children. By fostering early awareness, promoting community solidarity, and highlighting pathways to prevention and recovery, the event significantly contributed to the ongoing struggle against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the informal settlements. The Mathare Social Justice Centre remains committed to working with all stakeholders to break the chains of addiction and build a healthier, safer, and more just community for all its residents.

Prepared by

Laximine Aria, PAR Documenting Officer,

&

Benta Mutheu, Campaign Coordinator