Deputy President William Ruto has opened about what he termed as a problem of leaders set a bad example to the young people - and creating a drug abuse problem in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 11, at the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya National Convention 2022, held at Nairobi Baptist Church, Ruto recalled that the issue had become so perverse that some men of the cloth reached out to him and asked him to reach out to some politicians who were accused of setting a poor example to children.
He added that his own daughter had asked for permission to take wine - citing people in their circles who also partook in the refreshment.
The DP noted that as a parent he discouraged his daughter from taking wine and noted that society should understand the roles that they play in shaping children.
"Drug abuse is a serious issue and it goes back to the role of our religious institutions, the correct teaching standards in schools and the examples we set as leaders in the public space - because my daughter once came to me and asked if there is anything wrong with taking wine.
"For a minute I didn't know what to say, but I said, of course, there is everything wrong with taking wine. She told me but there are so many people who do it...We have a real issue as parents we have to take our responsibilities very seriously. This requires an army to deal with and everyone needs to take their role," he added.
The DP challenged parents to be firm in discouraging the vice - noting that he had discouraged his own children to shun all manner of drugs.
He also gave the example of Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria whom he hailed as one of the leaders who have recently stopped taking alcohol.
Ruto went on to reveal that he held a meeting with Bishop Mark Kariuki and Bishop J. B. Masinde and they challenged him to talk with politicians since the youth were emulating their behaviour and drug abuse was among these vices.
"It is not only a problem with young people but everybody including leaders. We have a very serious drug issue in our country.
"Last year, Bishop Mark Kariuki and Masinde came to my office and told me - Mr DP our children are looking at you leaders please make sure you are giving a good example in public - and the subject was about drugs," he added.
The DP was answering questions about drug abuse in the country, where he noted that the issue was not only affecting the youth but also leaders in the country.
The issue of drug abuse has been prevalent in the country with some of the cases being recorded even in schools. Several measures have been proposed to address the issue including introducing mandatory drug tests in schools.
The proposal has however not been adopted as different stakeholders continue to engage with relevant authorities to address the issue.
