Church leaders in Kirinyaga have condemned the sale and consumption of illicit alcohol and drugs among young people and children, warning that the growing vice is destroying families and threatening the future of an entire generation.
Speaking at Ngurubani during a gathering at Chrisco Church, the religious leaders called for concerted action by the government, churches, parents and local communities to tackle the spread of drugs and deadly alcoholic brews in the county.
The meeting was led by Bishop Jane Muchiri of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), Kirinyaga Chapter. Also present were Kamau Muchira, Chairman of the County Counselling and Psychological Association, and Rev. Dedan Gathara of Grace Gospel Church.
The leaders said the church supports efforts to shut down illegal drinking dens and dealers involved in the sale of harmful alcohol and drugs.
Bishop Muchiri said addressing the problem requires cooperation among government agencies, churches, community leaders and residents.
“We recognise that confronting this challenge requires courage, commitment and cooperation among government agencies, churches, community leaders and residents,” she said.
Muchira said the church would support those working to eliminate illicit alcohol and drugs, including providing evidence in court where necessary.
“We are saying with one voice that we do not want alcohol, we do not want drugs,” he said.
The church leaders, however, questioned the county government’s role in licensing bars and collecting levies from alcohol businesses, particularly those operating in villages and allegedly selling illicit brews.
Rev. Gathara said while the national government is responsible for enforcing various laws, the county government has a responsibility when it comes to licensing and regulating businesses.
He urged the county government to stop collecting revenue from establishments that sell deadly alcohol.
“We will not allow you to collect money over the dead bodies of our children. We have said enough is enough,” Gathara said.
The leaders linked alcohol and drug abuse to the breakdown of families in the county, saying some fathers and sons spend their earnings on alcohol and drugs instead of supporting their households.
They said women and children are often left to struggle with poverty as families deal with the effects of addiction.
The church also raised concerns over school dropouts and rising crime in some villages, arguing that addiction can push young people away from education and employment and into theft and violence.
The leaders called on parents to take a more active role in monitoring their children’s movements, guiding them and reporting suspected drug dealers to authorities.
They also urged chiefs, village elders and church members to work together to identify and shut down illegal drinking dens while supporting people battling addiction to access rehabilitation services.
On the 2027 General Election, the church leaders urged residents to register as voters and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
Muchira and Gathara warned politicians against using illicit alcohol and drugs to influence or manipulate young voters.
The leaders also urged residents to reject violence, bribery, hate speech and tribal divisions during the election period.
Bishop Muchiri called on residents to understand their rights, participate in elections peacefully and make informed decisions when choosing their leaders.
