President William Ruto has issued a hard warning to drug dealers, illegal alcohol traders, and gambling operators, saying his government is preparing tough laws to protect families and save young people from addiction.

Speaking on Saturday, January 3, 2025, while attending a pre-wedding in Moiben Constituency, the President said Kenya can no longer look away as drugs, illicit brews, and unregulated gambling destroy lives, homes, and entire communities.

He stated that the State is ready to change the law, seize property used in crime and introduce the harshest penalties yet for those who profit from drugs. Ruto said parents across the country are suffering as their children fall into addiction and insisted the country must restore order and responsibility.

“Hawa watu woote ambao wanauza pombe haramu, tunabadilisha sheria. Assets ya hao watu kama magari wanatumia kubeba pombe, ukishikwa ukibeba pombe haramu, hio gari inakuwa asset ya serikali,” Ruto said.

The President said the planned changes will not only target illegal alcohol but also go after those dealing in hard drugs, especially sellers who prey on young people. He said the country has lost too many children and warned traffickers to prepare themselves for serious consequences once the new laws are in place.

“Watu wa kuuza madawa ya kulevya kama heroine, cocaine na hata hao wenyewe hawatumii lakini wanawauzia watoto ya watu wengine, tunabadilisa sheria, mtu kama huyo inakuwa capital punishment, anaenda kunyongwa. Mtu anauza heroine na cocaine wajipange,” Ruto stated.

Ruto also sent a clear message to lawmakers, saying Parliament must be ready to pass the proposed laws. He said the scale of damage caused by drugs demands firm action and political courage, adding that excuses can no longer be accepted.

“Wabunge wetu wajipange pia kwa sababu tunaleta sheria. Watoto wengi wamepotea. We cannot continue on that,” Ruto said.

Beyond drugs and illegal alcohol, the President said his government is also moving to regulate gambling, which he said has quietly pushed many families into financial and emotional distress. He warned that betting cannot be allowed to spread unchecked in every town and village.

“Pia tunatengeneza sheria ya gambling, tutaweka regulation. Haiwezi kuwa inaendelea kila mahali. We cannot continue like that as a nation,” the president said.

Ruto said the pain caused by addiction is being felt daily in homes across Kenya, with parents watching helplessly as their children struggle. He said restoring discipline and order is not optional but necessary for the country’s future.

“We need to have a country of order. So many parents and families are going through hell because of drug abuse,” he stated.