Eight foreign nationals have been rescued from an unlicensed rehabilitation facility in Kajiado County following a dawn multi-agency operation led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
In a statement dated July 8th, 2026, the authority confirmed that Ehsan Rehabilitation Center, which had been operating for six months without NACADA’s accreditation, is now facing closure.
The rescue involved NACADA, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), county public health officials, the National Police Service, and representatives from the American Embassy in Nairobi.
Foreign Nationals Rescued in a NACADA Raid
The operation resulted in the rescue of eight foreign nationals who were found under circumstances that raised concerns.
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The rescued foreigners included five citizens of the United States, two Canadians and one British national.
According to NACADA, the individuals had been staying at the facility without sufficient documentation to justify their continued admission, including clinical reviews, treatment assessments and clear discharge plans.
The inspection team established that the center lacked evidence of a structured rehabilitation program that meets national requirements for the management of people recovering from substance use disorders.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr Anthony Omerikwa, who led the operation, said rehabilitation should be based on voluntary participation, professional care and respect for human rights.
“Rehabilitation is a voluntary, therapeutic process founded on respect for human dignity, individual rights and professional standards of care. The involuntary detention of clients, including foreign nationals, without lawful authority or due process is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of ethical treatment,” Dr Omerikwa said.
He noted that rehabilitation centers exist to support recovery and should not become places where individuals are confined without legal or medical justification.
Inspection Reveals Failure to Meet Required Treatment Standards
During the assessment of the facility, the authority identified several shortcomings in patient management and service delivery.
According to NACADA, the center had failed to demonstrate compliance with the required rehabilitation standards, including proper client assessment, informed consent, individual treatment plans, regular progress monitoring, and professional discharge procedures.
In its Investigation, NACADA found that some clients had overstayed at the facility without documented reasons, clinical justification, treatment reviews, and discharge planning.
Findings at Ehsan Rehabilitation Center represented a breach of both regulatory requirements and the rights of people seeking help for substance use challenges.
Omerikwa warned that all clients, whether Kenyan or foreign nationals, must be protected from unlawful practices.
“No person seeking help for substance use disorders should be deprived of their liberty unlawfully. Whether Kenyan or foreign, every client deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and in accordance with the law,” said Omerikwa.
He added that any facility found violating clients’ rights would face regulatory measures and possible legal action.
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NACADA Moves to Shut Down Rogue Rehabilitation Facilities
Following the inspection, the multi-agency team recommended the immediate closure of Ehsan Rehabilitation Center and referred the matter to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
The action forms part of NACADA’s wider efforts to regulate rehabilitation facilities and address concerns over unlicensed centers operating across the country.
The authority has previously raised concerns over facilities providing treatment services without meeting legal and professional requirements. According to NACADA, inspections have revealed that only a portion of rehabilitation centers assessed across the country have achieved accreditation.
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