Deputy President’s wife Dorcas Rigathi has called for concerted efforts to help young men from the danger of increased alcoholism.
Speaking Thursday during relief food distribution to residents of Ithanga, Murang’a, Dorcas lamented that many men especially from the central region have become unproductive by indulging in alcoholism.
She said from early next year, she will establish various empowerment programmes aimed to help the social welfare of boy child.
Mrs Rigathi explained that through empowerment programmes, those addicted to alcoholism will be helped and embark into activities that may help themselves and their families.
One of the programmes, she said, is to sponsor young men to join vocational training institutes so as to give the young people a chance to train on courses that can help them start income generating programmes.
She observed that if alcoholism and drug abuse among young people is not addressed, the country might lose an entire generation creating a huge gap in the society in the future.
Mrs Rigathi promised to roll out several empowerment programs to help the youth get back on their feet and lead a decent life.
“I am very concerned about our young people who spent most of their time drunk. We need to come up with ways to help them so that they can become responsible members of society.
“These young men are the future of the country and we have to do something before we lose them,” she added.
Mrs Rigathi further asked young people to seek opportunities during recruitment for national youth services, police service and defense forces.
She called on parents to monitor the behaviours of their children and ensure they are away from being lured in alcoholism and drug abuse.
“It is the high time we as a community move to protect our youth from being lured into bad behaviours. Boy child empowerment is a crucial programme that should be employed to fill in the gap,” she added.
Mrs Rigathi observed that having sober men will propagate better families and subsequently a better society adding that there are so many broken families due to alcoholism.
During the occasion about 3000 residents benefited with assorted foodstuff compromising of maize flour, rice, beans and cooking oil.
Speaking during the occasion Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said the government will give food to needy persons.
Muriu said Gatanga constituency is one of the areas worst hit by the dry spell which has been ravaging the country forcing the residents to rely on relief food.
He mooted a plan to launch a school feeding programme when schools reopen January next year.
“The programme will cushion our young children from pangs of hunger and ensure they remain in class,” he added.
By Bernard Munyao
