On her first day in Vihiga, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Thursday received support from Governor Wilber Otichillo in implementing her programs in the County.
The Governor first invited her to pray for the county government, the people of Vihiga and against the vice of alcohol and drug addiction at the Governor’s office.
He also accompanied Pastor Dorcas to a meeting of those with disabilities at a church organized by the office of the spouse of the Deputy President (OSDP).
“Across the world, individuals and organisations are championing the rights of people with disabilities through activism, advocacy and policy formulation, let us make sure they work,” said Pastor Dorcas.
During the event assistive devices for those with disabilities were distributed, assessment for disabilities carried out and dry foodstuffs donated.
Governor Otichillo said the County has a challenge of alcohol and drug abuse with the male gender highly involved, evident in the low population of the boys in schools in comparison to the girls.
“Here in Vihiga, we have challenge of the boy child. Many of them are lost. Even I schools, the population of boys is lower than that of the girls. The fight against alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse, we support this work greatly, and shall continue supporting the Deputy President for standing firmly on the issue of alcohol,” said Gov Otichillo.
He appreciated the plan by Pastor Dorcas in taking up the challenge of the boy child, and pushing it through.
“As a county we want to work closely with you, and with the national government to address the challenge of the boy child and ensure the boy child is part of our initiative to develop this county,” said Gov Otichillo.
He also added that his government had a department looking into the plight of PWDs to empower them especially in getting tenders to supply the County Government.
He, however, said the issue of gender based violence remained a problem in the county.
“On GBV, we have a challenge in Vihiga. We would like to work with the national government to address this issue of gender violence,” said Gov Otichillo.
The DCC Sabatia, Josiah Odongo said they were working to deal with the challenge of alcohol, and drugs just like other parts of the country.
“We are working closely with the county government to bring some order in how we run our bars businesses, and we are seeing some results. Also on the crackdown of illicit brew, we have arrested several people, we are pouring the brews and burning the bhangi.”
“Vihiga County has a bad reputation as a source of bhangi, particularly Luanda sub-county but we are changing that narrative because we know drugs are destroying our youth and our families,” said DCC Odongo.
The DCC also decried the issue of defilement, saying family and community values needed to be upheld more seriously.
