- The authority is expected to hold a final meeting in Kirinyaga on Tuesday and a mega event in Nairobi on Wednesday.
- Okioma said drug abuse is at the centre of violence and criminal activities during elections where the youth are mostly used.
Image: FILE
Nacada has called upon youths to be agents of peace during the general election.
National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse chief executive Victor Okioma spoke during a youth leaders forum in Mombasa on Saturday.
Okioma said drug abuse is at the centre of violence and criminal activities during elections where the youth are mostly used.
“We have been meeting youth leaders in counties which were identified by the Ministry of Interior and the NCIC as the hot spots to engage them on the issues of promoting peace instead of being used to cause violence during the election,” he said.
Mombasa is among the 10 counties that were identified by the authority where more than 500 youth leaders were engaged in a peace forum on Saturday.
Other counties include Uasin Gishu, Nyamira, Kisumu, Kericho, Kiambu, Nakuru and Kilifi.
The authority is expected to hold a final meeting in Kirinyaga on Tuesday and a mega event in Nairobi on Wednesday.
“As we carry out these forums, we ask the youth what causes them to engage in electoral violence. They have told us that violence is caused by the use of drugs and incitement where leaders pay them to invade their opponent's rallies,” he said.
Okioma said the youths want the police to take action when they see people fighting because sometimes they don't act swiftly.
The Nacada boss said the Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah's, plan to legalise cannabis will not work because there are strong laws discouraging the use of narcotics.
“Wajackoyah is not being truthful and he is not giving out enough information, he just says Uganda has legalised cannabis but he doesn't say that country has actually legalised it for the production of medicine," he said.
“He says South Africa has legalised it but the truth is the country has actually legalised recreational use of cannabis but you cannot use it in public because you will be arrested."
Coast region commissioner John Elungata urged youths and every one to ensure that they go back home after casting their votes.
“We have agreed with the youth that once you cast your vote, you should go home and wait for the results as you go about your daily work," he said.
“We will ensure that whatever the youths have told are the key cause of violence during polls are actually dealt with,” he said.
Elungata said there is a relationship between drugs, alcohol and violence during elections and they are working hard to ensure that it does not happen.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)