By MKT Correspondent
Concerns over rising drug and substance abuse among young people have intensified after 1,500 newly recruited Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) trainees were dismissed from the military training camp in Eldoret for testing positive for drug use.
Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina revealed that the recruits were turned away after undergoing rigorous medical examinations when they reported for training.
He said the initial tests conducted during constituency-level recruitment were less thorough, with deeper screening done by military medical specialists at the training centre.
Speaking to members of the Equator Men’s Self-Help Group in Gakawa ward over the weekend, the MP urged parents to educate their children on the dangers of drug abuse, warning that substance use is now costing young people employment opportunities despite strong academic qualifications.
The KDF recruitment drive, held between October 13 and 25, had shortlisted 3,000 candidates, meaning half of them were ultimately disqualified.
“The number of youth dismissed from KDF training is alarming. Parents must be vigilant and monitor their children to ensure they are not drawn into anti-social behaviour,” Wainaina said.
He stressed the role of parents, especially fathers, in guiding young people and connecting them to mentorship programmes to keep them from alcoholism and other harmful habits.
The MP added that recruits heading to the National Police Service (NPS) Training College in Kiganjo will also face intensive medical checks, with only those who test negative allowed to proceed.
On education matters, Wainaina announced that a new day secondary school wing will open in January at CCM Primary School to ease long travel distances for students in the area.
“Residents in the Equator area made a passionate appeal for a secondary school wing at the nearby primary school to promote access to higher education,” he said.
Parents and young people interviewed by this publication blamed the government for failing to reign on drug lords who are scattered and have agents in various parts of the country.
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