Youth from Mavoko, Machakos County have been urged to refrain from illicit acts so as to avoid spending most of their productive lives in prison.
Addressing the press in Athi River Town on Monday, Bondeni Children Rescue Centres director, Florence Gitau, said majority of youth from the region engage in illicit drugs and substance abuse beyond limit.
"Youth from Mavoko and especially Athi River, the industrial town should seize from engaging in illicit acts so as to avoid spending most of their productive lives in jail," said Gitau.
According to Gitau, several youth had been arrested in Athi River Town either peddling or using drugs like bhang and illicit liquor.
She said several others had also been arrested for allegedly engaging in more serious crimes like rape and robberies under the influence of such drugs.
Gitau said that most of the culprits fall between the age bracket of 18 and 35, which is the prime age group when they are still very productive.
She said such individuals when arrested and jailed, end up serving the better part of their productive lives in prison only to get out when they are old.
Gitau urged the youth to get focused and more serious with their lives arguing that their destinies lie in their own hands and not on their parents as some might think.