Heroin and cocaine are some drugs that are being peddled and consumed in the vast and populous Witeithie Estate in Juja Sub- County of Kiambu County, NACADA has revealed.

Speaking during a security and development Baraza organized at Witeithie market by Juja sub-county DCC, Charles Muriithi, NACADA central region manager Amos Warui, said drug peddlers had found a lucrative market in Witeithie due to its proximity to Nairobi city and its population. He said since the estate was sandwiched between Juja and Thika which have become education hubs, most local university and college students reside in the estate.

“Now drug peddlers are targeting these youth to make a quick buck at the expense of our future generation,” said Warui who decried alcohol and drug abuse in the area. He said action must be taken immediately to reverse this situation through concerted efforts by all stakeholders. He blamed Kiambu County Government for recklessly issuing liquor licenses ostensibly to collect taxes and revenue at the expense of the lives of Kenyans.

Warui said many youths were also engaged in consumption of drugs such as cocaine and heroin. “These days youth, especially college and university students, are endangering their lives by using a single injection to inject themselves with these hard drugs thereby spreading HIV and Hepatitis B among themselves,” he said.

He urged parents to seriously monitor their children before they fall prey to these unsocial activities. He warned that politicians might use alcohol and drugs to insight the idle young Kenyans into violence.

Andrew Githui also from NACADA said smoking is costing the world 8 million lives per year and should be avoided at all cost. He said Miraa was also a drug which caused impotence amongst its users.

These sentiments were echoed by Juja DCC, Charles Muriithi who reacted swiftly to residents’ outcry over the sale and consummation of alcohol and drugs in the area by ordering for a punitive crackdown against these vices. He said all liquor outlets flouting alcohol drinks must be closed immediately. He also instructed area senior Chief Muiruri Muchui to camp along River Ndarugu and wipe out the mushrooming chang’aa brewing.

The administrator urged locals to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after elections. He said the security apparatus are red alert and will not allow any lawlessness.

DCC Muriithi who was flanked by Juja sub-county police boss Musyoki, area AP chief Lydia Muriithi and DCI Martin Murimi said police were looking for hooligans who were hired to attack the supporters of a rival. He said a motor vehicle used in the attack had been impounded. “We are now looking for the owner of the vehicle and the hooligans so that they can face the full force of the law,” he said.   

New Weteithie OCS, Chief Inspector Mugo said he would face the challenges in the ward head on. He said he would work with the community to maintain law and order. The DCC assured him of his full support in his work.

Residents and leaders led by area Jubilee ward aspirant Edith Wakio had complained that brews and drugs were ruining youth in the area, Wakio said wine and spirits outlets were opening at 5a.m and closing at midnight. She said men and youths have abdicated their responsibility and were hanging outside these joints soliciting for handouts so that they could purchase cheap liquor that endangered their lives. “We want to know why the County Government of Kiambu has decided to allow these illegal outlets to ruin the society. These joints are now almost in every plot in the Estate,” the aspirant said. She was supported by other aspirants and the local community including the church and the business community. During the meeting, no county officials were present.

 Former MCA Peter Muiruri (SP) said majority youths in the area have refused to work because they had fallen prey to this menace. “Many youths have lost their lives after engaging in alcohol and drug abuse,” he said.

Business man Jacob Maina said illegal liquor cutlets were the ones selling illicit brews and drugs. He decried pathetic road network, uncollected refusal, water shortage, inadequate school and insecurity. He said the business community would only support leaders who would help the business fraternity.

The chairman of bars owners’ association in the area George Gitau said unlicensed liquor cutlets should be closed. He said illegal activities were destroying the investment of licensed operators.

Wilson Mbogo from the peace commission urged aspirants and voters not to engage in chaos. Speaking on condition of anonymity, Kiambu County officials said they had been instructed to relax the fight against liquor until after elections. Since the beginning of this year, the County Government has waged an unprecedented campaign to collect license fees from liquor traders in the County. Of late, the County has withdrawn County Askaris from conducting inspections in a bid to lure the traders to vote for Kiambu incumbent Governor Doctor James Nyoro.

Ends..…./

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