The situation in Garissa highlights a troubling moral and social shift among youth, driven by digital exposure and lack of guidance. Religious leaders, activists and government officials rightly warn that without urgent, unified intervention, the community risks long-term erosion of values. The call for stronger parenting, ethical education and legal enforcement is timely and necessary. Social media has amplified risky behaviours, but the root causes—broken family structures, lack of mentorship and digital illiteracy—must also be addressed. Garissa’s response offers a blueprint: combine community leadership, legal action, and youth-focused education to restore dignity and protect the moral fabric of future generations
Muhuru chief executive officer Walid Kassim speaks to the press in Garissa on Tuesday/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Religious leaders, activists and government officials in Garissa County have raised concerns over a growing trend of the circulation of indecent content by young people on social media.
They said in the past four months there has
been a worrying rise in the number of youth recording and sharing
explicit videos online, prompting widespread alarm among parents, community
leaders and law enforcement agencies.
The trend, which they described as a sign of deepening moral decay, has drawn calls for urgent action to
protect the values and wellbeing of the community.
Sheikh Hassan Abdi, an Islamic leader in Garissa, said this is a clear departure from the ethical foundations of the community.
“We must pause and reflect on how we arrived at this point. These are behaviours that were once unheard of in our society,” he said.
“This indicates a society that is losing its moral compass.
If not addressed urgently, we risk losing an entire generation to spiritual
emptiness and ethical erosion.”
Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) chief executive officer Walid Kassim called for swift and collective action, urging national and county governments, parents, educators, religious leaders and community elders to work together in guiding the youth.
“This issue requires a coordinated
response. We must teach our young people about the importance of self-respect,
self-control and dignity. It is time for all of us to speak openly and act
boldly to restore values within our society,” he said.
Kassim urged law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those involved in the
creation or distribution of indecent materials.
Garissa county commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo assured the public the government is taking the matter seriously.
Speaking during the conclusion of a one-day human rights training for law enforcement officers, he said investigations are underway, including an active case in Modogashe involving the unlawful sharing of private content.
The training was organised by Muhuri and funded by the Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights.
“These acts are not only immoral but also illegal. The government, through its security and investigative agencies, is committed to ensuring that anyone involved is held accountable,” Mwabudzo said.
“We are launching a comprehensive crackdown on the
production, distribution and possession of such material.”
Mwabudzo also urged parents to be more involved in the lives of their children and to uphold their responsibilities at home.
“Parental guidance is the foundation of any morally upright society. The breakdown of family values often starts when parents neglect their roles,” he said.
“We need to work together—parents,
educators, religious leaders and the broader community—to guide our youth and
secure the future of Garissa county.”
“As a society, we have a duty to raise responsible, respectful, and morally grounded citizens. Together, we must act now to preserve the dignity of our youth and the values that bind us.”
