The process of fighting drug abuse, which is currently being implemented by the National government, has witnessed a success of up to 75 per cent in the Central region.
Area Regional Commissioner Mr. Fredrick Shisia said the programme is not an instant-result initiative but involves steps such as sensitisation, enforcement, rehabilitation, and treatment.
Speaking in Mwea Sub County after touring a land parcel owned by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) that was reported to have been grabbed by a private developer, Shisia said the sensitisation process has been going on well in partnership with the local political leaders and churches.
“We are going on well on sensitisation; you have seen leaders in churches and barazas talking to people. This has enabled us to cover a wider area,” he said.
He said the legal framework provided many gaps in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse, but County Assemblies are in different stages of harmonizing the laws to get rid of the windows that some people use to derail the operations.
The RC noted that the rehabilitation stage is a major challenge due to the lack of facilities in the counties. He requested the governors to construct more centres as it was their role in the agreed procedures.
The cost of treatment in rehabilitation per month is almost Sh50, 000 and will be costly to the majority of the families.
“The legal framework presented a lot of gaps. I thank our Deputy President for being at the forefront and engaging County assemblies, which are now in different stages of making legislation to close the gaps,” Shisia said.
“We are still below average in rehabilitation, and I request that governors to establish more centres. The treatment of drug addicts costs Sh50, 000 per month and will be a bit of a problem for some families,” he added.
He further proposed adopting the idea of Murang’a Governor, where NIHF will cover treatment in rehabilitation centres adding that drug and alcohol addiction is a disease.
He reiterated that the re-emergence of Mungiki in the region will not happen in the region and sent a warning to a criminal gang identified as “same” operating in Kutus, Kirinyaga, that their time is up, saying that the pronouncement by the president will be fully implemented.
“We will not allow the re-emergence of criminal gangs like Mungiki, here in Kirinyaga in Kutus town, there is a gang called ‘Same’ and am telling their leader their time is up. Once the directive is made by the president, us in the region is to fully implement it,” he added.
The RC said they have formed a technical committee to investigate the alleged grabbing of 15 acres of land belonging to the NIA.
By Mutai Kipngetich
