President Uhuru Kenyatta Friday said alcoholism was a threat to national development and the family unit, adding that there is need to rehabilitate youth so that they embark on meaningful lives.
Kenyatta said most of the affected youth had abandoned their families, leaving their children in desperate situations after being lured to alcoholism.
Speaking at Mirira village in Murang’a County during the burial of Paul Mwangi Ayub, Uhuru said there was urgent need to salvage the generation from alcoholism by eradicating illicit brews.
“We want the youth to be engaged fully in development activities for them to be able to bring up their children,” said Kenyatta.
Mwangi was among the pioneer African traders who moved and bought property from the white settlers and Indian traders before he eventually settled in Karen in the 1960s.
“The war against illicit brews must be won and I am happy that Murang’a County government is leading in establishment of rehabilitation centres that will ensure the youth are back in the right track,” said the head of state.
President Kenyatta hailed Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria’s initiatives to fight alcoholism, saying the national government was ready to partner to help those suffering from withdrawal syndrome.
He said the National Youth Service (NYS) will support Murang’a County government engage the rehabilitated youth in road works to ensure they spend their earnings to support their families.
The governor pleaded with State to partner with them in rehabilitation of individuals suffering from withdrawal syndrome due to lack of alcohol from the market, following a community crackdown on alcohol, which President Kenyatta ordered.
“Rehabilitation of the 500 youth currently undergoing treatment at General Ihura Stadium in Murang’a town is an expensive venture for the county alone and it requires extensive partnership with the State,” said Iria.
The governor said it was an expensive venture to treat and rehabilitate the alcoholics, since it requires a minimum of Sh2,000 every day, translating to Sh1 billion to rehabilitate 500 youths identified in the country.
Iria said the county government will fully engage the youths in development programmes undertaken by the government.
Leaders, who included Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura and the host, Kiharu MP Irungu Kang’ata, pleaded with the Head of State to allocate funds to tarmac Mukuyu-Kabirwa-Kwa Samaki road, to connect with Sagana-Kenol road, which they said was former Cabinet minister Kenneth Matiba’s dream.
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