Concern as Patients Found Starving, Sleeping on Floor in Rehab Centre

Patients have been found starving, sleeping on the floor in a rehabilitation Centre during a raid by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse(NACADA) in Meru County.
NACADA raided the centre on September 24, after receiving complaints from the public prompting it to shut the centre indefinitely.
During the operations, which is part of a countrywide crackdown, the centre was accused of neglect, misuse, and gross violations of patients’ rights.
The Authority stated that they found out that patients were subjected to a lack of food and medical care and overcrowding with an unsanitary environment caused a health threat.
Authority revealed that others were forced to sleep on the floor with thorn blankets and majority have not had access to doctors and counsellors.
It also stated that they learned that the centre had locked some patients inside the facility for over 1 year denying them contact with families.
Anthony Omerikwa, NACADA CEO, issued a warning to centres operating illegally by running it unlicensed.
“We will not allow unscrupulous individuals to exploit the pain of families and the vulnerability of people struggling with substance use disorders. Operating unlicensed facilities under such deplorable conditions is not only illegal but deeply immoral,” Omerikwa said.
According to authority, centre manager and all staff members were arrested, while facility owner remains on the run.
It added that Meru Directorate of Criminal Investigations is currently working on the investigations.
However, NACADA added that all patients in that centre were rescued and were under temporary custody at Meru Police Station as their families were contacted.
This crackdown came months after another centre was closed by authorities. NACADA closed down another rehab centre in Birikani, Kajiado East on May 26, over multiple violations of operational standards allegations.