Mombasa drug peddlers targeting school kids

Muguka and bhang are said to be the most abused drugs in Mombasa County, leading to mental disorders, according to Miritini Mental Rescue Centre Founder Amina Abdalla.

Speaking during celebrations to mark World Mental Health Day at Mombasa Women Hospital Rescue Centre, Abdalla said the problem with the drugs is easy to access because they are cheap and thus accessible to all, including school-going children.

She said there is a trend by Muguka sellers to give a free bag of muguka for each bag they sell. The drug is mixed with bhang, leading to mental disorders.

"The problem we have is that we have a tendency where the sellers are selling a bag at Sh50 and give the buyer another bag for free. It is now buy one get one free. And the worst issue is that even children are buying and chewing muguka," Amina said.

During the celebrations, 26 patients graduated from the rescue centre with different abilities like welding, carpentry, and hair making.

The youth are expected to apply the skills to earn a living and keep off drugs.

She further said that they had a nine-year-old patient, a 12-year-old patient, and two secondary school students treated at the facility.

She asked the national and county governments to create a mental health office since the problem is on the rise and one of the contributors is the use of drugs.

She asked the government to further ensure the said drugs, especially muguka, are regulated despite them being a cash crop for some communities.

Her words were echoed by Jomvu Deputy County Commissioner Gitonga Mwiandi who said there is a need to fight the use of drugs, saying drugs are part of the major contributors to mental disorders in society.

"We should unite and ensure that drugs are eradicated in the society and Jomvu as part of our society and ensure the vice must stop. I am actually happy to see such a rescue center like Mama Amina's is helping those affected and helping them get back in society," said Mwiandi.