By Betty Luke
A group of Isiolo youths who previously worked under the Government’s National Hygiene Program (Kazi Mtaani) has rolled out an advocacy and sensitization program for young people trapped in drug and substance abuse as a way of helping them revert to their normal lives.
The group lamented that several youths went back into the vice after the Kazi Mtaani program ended two months ago due to lack of income to sustain them.
The exercise targets affected youths in Wabera, Burat, Ngaremara and Bulapesa wards which the team says are the most affected.
“We have already identified more than 20 drug addicts who we want to help in rehabilitating so that they become responsible citizens,” said Noor Juma, the group’s Secretary-General.
The Kazi Mtaani Community Based Initiative has brought together more than 20 supervisors and several cohorts appealed to the national government to extend the program to ensure youths are productive and earn a living.
“We request the government to extend the period to prevent youths from further indulgence in drug abuse and criminal activities,” Group’s Chair Adan Hassan said.
The advocacy also covers on Covid-19 adherence and educating youths on the need to refrain from being misused by politicians to cause chaos before, during and after the forthcoming 2022 general elections.
“As youths, we must advocate for what is right and beneficial to our society because in most instances we are the ones misused to cause chaos and fights,” Mr Juma noted.
Ms Sophia Guyo who hails from Mabatini decried increased cases of young women involved in drug abuse and young girls lured into having sex to afford the basic necessities.
She said the situation would worsen if no action is taken to ensure they are engaged in productive and income-generating activities.
“You will find them taking the drugs because they neither have jobs nor a stable source of income,” Ms Guyo lamented.
Isiolo Woman Representative Ms Rehema Jaldesa lauded the group for the initiative and promised to support them to reach out to a big number of youths.
Ms Jaldesa asked youths not to allow politicians to misuse them for their own selfish gains including disrupting meetings during the campaign time.
“Support those (leaders) who support your agenda and those ready to empower you,” she said.
