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A Grade 10 student from Kilifi County has emerged as the country’s top young writer on drug abuse prevention, beating more than 1,100 entrants drawn from every county in Kenya.
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She was named national winner of the 2026 National Senior School Essay Writing Competition on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, organized by NACADA
A Grade 10 student from Kilifi County has emerged as the country’s top young writer on drug abuse prevention, beating more than 1,100 entrants drawn from every county in Kenya.
Faith Munyazi Wugoma of Helping Hands Senior School was named national winner of the 2026 National Senior School Essay Writing Competition on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, organized by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
She beat a field of 1,152 students drawn from 132 schools in 39 counties, the largest turnout since the competition began.
Rukia Abdi, a Form 4 student at Garbatulla Girls Secondary School in Isiolo County, placed second nationally. Angel Wangari, a Grade 10 learner at AIC Morop Girls Senior School in Nakuru County, took third.
The competition was not a standalone event. It formed part of NACADA’s renewed national prevention strategy following President William Ruto’s directive to strengthen the fight against alcohol and drug abuse among young people.
The contest ran under the theme “Protecting Our Future: Making Drug-Free Choices in School and Beyond.”
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Entry was open to all senior school students in Grades 10, 11 and 12. Each participant had to submit one original, handwritten essay of between 800 and 1,000 words in English or Kiswahili, and submissions had to be endorsed by the school principal or head teacher. The submission window closed on Friday, March 28, 2026.
Students wrote on themes including the effect of substance abuse on academic performance and discipline, peer pressure and social media, the role of schools in building safe learning environments, strategies for resisting drugs and supporting peers, and the responsibility of parents and communities in protecting learners.
Beyond the overall national ranking, each of the three top finishers also led a thematic category. Munyazi topped the category on the role of schools in creating safe, drug-free learning environments.
Abdi led the category on parental and community responsibility. Wangari won the category on how students can resist drugs and support their peers.
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NACADA also highlighted the participation of learners with disabilities. Sirat Mahad, a student at Ngala Secondary School for the Deaf in Nakuru County, submitted a video presentation on how substance abuse affects academic performance and discipline. NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa said inclusion means ensuring every learner has the chance to be heard, regardless of ability.
Omerikwa said the initiative was designed to reinforce the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the Life Skills Education framework. NACADA said the competition strengthens competencies such as critical thinking, self-efficacy, citizenship and effective communication.
NACADA Board Chairperson Bishop Stephen Mairori said prevention should be treated as a strategic national investment rather than an optional undertaking, and commended the students for the clarity of their essays.
All participating students, teachers and schools will receive certificates of recognition. National and county winners will additionally receive plaques and other rewards. Winning essays will be published in NACADA’s newsletter. The top three national winners and county champions will be honored at a ceremony to be announced later.
By Benedict Aoya
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