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Dozens of youth in Lamu County were turned away during the
just-concluded Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruitment drive after failing
medical tests linked to drug and substance abuse, officials have said.
The nationwide exercise, which ended in Mpeketoni, Lamu
Central, and Faza, saw hundreds of young men and women turn up in hopes of
joining the military.
The recruitment was supervised by Senior Recruiting Officer
Lieutenant Colonel Eliud Nangole and other KDF officials.
According to Lt. Col. Nangole, the exercise aimed to
identify disciplined, qualified, and physically fit candidates to serve in the
military, emphasizing fairness and transparency throughout the process.
“The turnout reflected the growing enthusiasm of young
Kenyans eager to serve their country,” Lt. Col. Nangole said, commending the
discipline displayed by most candidates.
However, KDF medical teams disqualified several applicants
after medical screenings revealed widespread drug use among the youth,
particularly in coastal areas like Lamu where drug addiction remains a persistent
challenge.
Lieutenant Colonel Wasike, a senior KDF medical officer,
said substance abuse continues to undermine the potential of otherwise capable
young people.
“Drug abuse continues to disqualify many promising
candidates from opportunities for national service,” Lt. Col. Wasike said.
“It’s a concern we encounter every year, especially in
coastal regions.”
He urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to step up
efforts to address the problem through awareness campaigns, mentorship, and rehabilitation
programs.
“These interventions must come from within the community. We
must work together to guide the youth toward healthier and more productive
lives,” he added.
Local leaders and elders who attended the recruitment
praised KDF for its professionalism and transparency, saying such exercises not
only provide employment opportunities but also strengthen ties between the military
and local communities.
The recruitment in Lamu reaffirmed KDF’s commitment to
integrity and merit-based selection, ensuring that only medically fit,
disciplined, and patriotic Kenyans are enlisted.
“We continue to uphold the highest standards to ensure that
those who join our ranks are ready—physically, mentally, and morally—to serve
the country,” Lt. Col. Nangole said.
Drug and substance abuse remains a growing concern in the
Coast region, with government reports indicating that narcotics such as heroin,
bhang, and prescription drug misuse have derailed many youths’ chances at
education and employment.
The KDF officials emphasized that the fight against drugs
must be a shared national effort, warning that continued substance abuse could
rob the country of a generation capable of contributing meaningfully to Kenya’s
security and development.
As the recruitment exercise concluded, authorities called
for renewed collaboration between security agencies, schools, and community
organizations to rescue affected youth and prepare them for future
opportunities in national service.