Youths in Nakuru-East constituency have been warned against drug abuse at the expense of exploring employment opportunities. Area MP David Gikaria said youths in a section of his constituency abuse drugs and alcohol more often than working. While addressing residents at a proposed market project in Teachers estate, the MP criticised the local youths noting that drug abuse and alcohol consumption has resulted in rise in crime and poverty among them. “The youths only want handouts from politicians to buy chang’aa and marijuana. I will not entertain that. Other groups are initiating development projects while the youths loiter around drinking and consuming hard drugs,’’ said Gikaria. He called upon local law enforcers to crack down illicit brews and drug sellers and banish joints where youths operate from. He further announced that he would petition the county government to open counselling centres in the constituency to help local youth to reform. However the MP’s remarks were criticised by a local youth lobby group leader who urged that the leader among others in the area had failed to address the plight of the youth who are languishing in poverty and unemployment. Antony Waweru the chairman of Mawanga Youth Agenda lobby group while talking to this writer on phone said many youths abuse drugs because they are frustrated. “We know the MP believes women are the majority voters here and that is why he does not care about the youth,” said Waweru.

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