A shopper buys alcohol at a supermarket. At least 6.2 percent of alcoholics countrywide are severally affected. [Photo: Daily Nation]

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A new survey by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has revealed that at least three million Kenyans are addicted to alcohol.

The findings by the anti-narcotics agency showed that among the addicted are 82,517 secondary school students, representing 3.8 percent of the addicts.

The report, Rapid Situation Assessment Survey of Status of Drug and Alcohol 2017, also found out that 2.5 percent of secondary school students smoke cigarettes while another 2.6 chew khat (miraa).

The study further revealed that about 1.8 percent of the students use cocaine, bhang, and other harmful stimulants.

"This situation can be attributed to the high amount of pocket money parents give their children and friendly relatives using liquor and other stimulants," said Morris Kamenderi, Nacada lead researcher.

He added: "Single parenting is also a major contributor of drug abuse among minors."

The survey sampled 77 national, county, and sub-county secondary schools in eight regions.

The report recommended increased surveillance in students' dormitories.

It also called for an effective collaborative approach to keep drugs and liquor away from children.

Kamenderi was speaking during a stakeholders meeting in Murang'a County on Tuesday.