The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is urging religious leaders to incorporate anti-drug abuse messages in their sermons as a strategy to combat the growing menace threatening future generations.
Ken Marau, NACADA’s coordinator for Siaya and Busia counties, emphasized the critical role of religious institutions in providing moral guidance and addressing the drug abuse crisis.
Speaking in Siaya town after a one-day workshop that brought together Christian and Muslim leaders from the region, Marau called on religious leaders to step up efforts in the fight against drug abuse.
“It is high time religious leaders put their hands on deck to offer moral guidance to society,” Marau said, adding that NACADA will continue engaging partners in its mission to make Kenya a drug-free nation.
He highlighted the unique challenges facing Siaya and Busia due to their proximity to the border.
“We face a myriad of challenges because of drug trafficking through the porous border and Lake Victoria, which serve as routes for smuggling drugs into the country,” he explained.
Marau urged partners to assist by sharing vital information with relevant authorities to help curb the influx of illegal substances.
Marau also praised the collaborative efforts among government agencies, which recently led to the destruction of 1,478 kilograms of bhang seized over six months in Busia.
However, he noted that beyond bhang, illicit liquor from a neighbouring country remains a significant issue that requires attention.
Religious leaders in Siaya expressed their readiness to support NACADA’s campaign.
Bishop Wilfred Amollo emphasized the destructive impact of alcohol and drug abuse on the youth.
He also called on the government to take action against ‘Disco Matanga’, a cultural practice he believes exposes children and young people to harmful influences.
“During Disco Matanga, not only are children and youth exposed to alcohol and drugs, but young girls also become pregnant, and conflicts often lead to violence and even death,” Bishop Amollo stated.
Other speakers at the workshop, including Rev. Dr. Lawrence Oseje of Destiny Impact Mission International and Sheikh Rashid Owino, chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), echoed the need for strong partnerships to eradicate these vices.
They stressed the importance of a united front between religious institutions and government agencies in addressing the drug abuse crisis.
