Gilgil Ward Administrator Jane Ngugi has expressed concern over the rising incidences of drug and substance abuse among area youths and said that something had to be done to avert the situation.
Speaking during a youth forum on Sunday in Gilgil town, Ms Ngugi regretted the fact that a majority of young people were languishing in alcoholism, a trend she said was negatively affecting the county's economy.
"Our youth are languishing in poverty because most of them are too preoccupied in alcoholism and drug abuse at the expense of engaging in positive activities that will add value to their lives," she said.
The ward administrator called on the local administration to intensify crackdowns against illicit brew especially in villages where she says it is prevalent.
Elsewhere, area chief Peter Kariuki cautioned all brewers operating distilleries secretly to stop before the long arm of the law finds them.
"This should be a stern warning to individuals engaging in such businesses because it has come to our attention that illicit brew business is slowly finding its way back in Gilgil. We will not tolerate this," he noted.