Bishops, Muslim Imams in North Rift back Ruto’s new measures to fight abuse of drugs

Bishops, Muslim preachers and imams in North Rift have welcomed President William Ruto’s declaration to tackle the sale and abuse of drugs in Kenya, describing it as a necessary step to safeguard families and communities.

Leading the support were Muslim Imams and Preachers chairman Abubakar Bini and Bishop Dominic Kimengich, who separately labelled the rampant abuse of drugs and alcohol as a national crisis that demands urgent and decisive action.

Bini urged the President to lead from the front, insisting all individuals engaged in the drug trade be arrested and dealt with ruthlessly.

“As religious leaders, we know the challenge of drugs has been a major concern and we fully support measures announced by the President to handle the problem,” he said.

In his New Year message, Ruto proposed introducing the death penalty for hard drug traffickers alongside stricter laws to combat substance abuse.

He described the crisis as a “national development and security emergency,” affecting more than 4.7 million Kenyans, with statistics showing one in three men and one in five young adults aged 25-35 are using drugs or alcohol.

The President also called for collective action, urging families and communities to take active roles in prevention efforts.

Kimengich highlighted the devastating impact of drugs and alcohol abuse on families, particularly the youth.

“We urge all stakeholders to play an active role in ensuring we fight this problem and save the lives of many of our people who are already affected,” he said.

The two pledged to leverage religious forums to educate Kenyans, especially young people, about the dangers of substance abuse.

Kesses MP Julius Ruto raised alarm over increasing alcohol and drug abuse among young people in Eldoret.

He urged security teams to take a tough stance against dealers who target Eldoret due to its high concentration of young people and colleges.

The legislator also accused security officers of complicity, allowing illicit alcohol to infiltrate the region.

“Time has come for us to act and protect our youth in this city because there are cartels making money by ruining the lives of young people,” he said.

Concerns have also been raised over the rising circulation of ethanol, a chemical used to manufacture illicit alcohol.

County authorities have also taken preventive measures.

Koiya Arap Maiyo, director of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Board in Uasin Gishu, revealed that some bars and clubs operating illegally near educational institutions have been shut down.

“Our schools and colleges are no-go areas for such businesses, and we must give our children the peace they need to concentrate on learning,” he said.

Maiyo said the success of the Moiben Rehabilitation Centre, a fully registered facility offering support to individuals battling alcohol addiction from all over Uasin Gishu county.

“The success of this rehabilitation centre stands as a testament to the county’s commitment to addressing alcohol addiction and providing a haven for those seeking recovery,” he said.

As religious leaders, lawmakers and county officials unite in the fight against drugs, the North Rift region is sending a clear message: substance abuse is not only a personal problem—it is a community and national emergency, demanding coordinated action, awareness and enforcement.

With President Ruto’s directive and local efforts, there is cautious optimism that lives can be saved and communities protected from the pervasive grip of alcohol and drug abuse.