A fresh push in Parliament could see Kenyans struggling with drug and substance abuse access more support in public hospitals.
The Harm Reduction Bill, 2025, sponsored by Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, seeks to compel both the national and county governments to provide rehabilitation and harm reduction services.
If passed, the law will require government facilities to offer treatment, counseling, psycho social support, peer recovery programs and family care for those affected by substance use disorder.
“The Cabinet Secretary shall develop a comprehensive policy and a national strategy on harm reduction to ensure improved welfare and treatment of persons with substance use disorder,” the Bill reads.
The legislation describes harm reduction as interventions that reduce the physical, social and health risks of drug use, from safer use to full abstinence.
It directs the Ministry of Health to set up a dedicated directorate for harm reduction, develop a national policy, and create a register tracking the number of affected people, their ages, sex, diagnoses and drug-related deaths.
The Health Cabinet Secretary will also establish standards for rehab facilities and ensure they are staffed with trained health workers.
County governments will be tasked with implementing the national strategies, allocating resources and running community programs to promote awareness and deliver services at the local level.
The Bill further criminalizes denial of access to harm reduction services without valid cause, as well as the deliberate withholding of treatment or information from patients.
Passaris argues the reforms will reduce overdoses, drug-related deaths and the spread of infectious diseases while supporting families and caregivers.
