The campaign against alcohol and drug abuse was intensified during a meeting of more than 7,000 high school students at the Thika High School Grounds.
During the Kiambu Annual Prayer Rally on Sunday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Dorcas Rigathi, Regional Director of Education Sabina Aroni, Kiambu KSCF Chair Richard Mureithi were present.
The Nacada 2022 Survey on the Status of Drugs and Substance Use in Kenya revealed that Central Kenya had the highest prevalence of portable spirits at 4.1 per cent, and the highest use of tobacco at 11.9 per cent.
The survey also indicated that one in every 11 youths aged between 15-24 years was using at least one drug or substance of abuse.
Dorcas spoke to the students addressing her concerns about teenagers getting involved in drug abuse, especially in Coastal counties.
"Young men, listen to me. I visited your brothers in the drug dens of Shimanzi in Mombasa, and they have injected themselves with drugs everywhere, and they are now injecting themselves through the chest, waiting to die," Rigathi said.
"Some are in prison because of defilement cases, others are in hospital wards because of broken limbs from accidents, and also HIV/AIDs, while others have died."
Rigathi warned the students to avoid drug and substance abuse which could lead to loss of their lifetime.
“If you are 25 years old, and imprisoned for 50 years, you will be released at the age of a grandfather or even die in prison,” Rigathi said.
She urged the students to focus on their studies and avert peer pressure which is a major cause of influence even as the Kenya Kwanza Government continues to fight illicit alcohol and drug addictions in the country.
Sabina Aroni commended the government's efforts to fight the consumption of illicit brew and drugs.
“Your fight against alcohol and drug abuse has had a big impact. There are two schools where we struggled with high incidences of alcohol and drug abuse, but they have gone down significantly. When the students turn away from this destructive behaviour, then generations will be safe,” Aroni said.
Richard Mureithi said the formation of clubs and societies in schools was instrumental in the growth and development of students, facilitating such rallies to impact the students.
Mureithi said the rally was the 5th County Annual Prayer Day that began in 2018.
