Avoid drugs and peer pressure, Elimu scholars warned

JFK's Garissa County Coordinator Nelson Oloo speaking at the summit. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Hundreds of Grade 10 and Form One student who benefited from this year’s Elimu Scholarship Programme has been warned against engaging in drug and substance abuse or negative peer pressure that could jeopardise their education and future.

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The learners have further been encouraged to seek guidance and assistance when faced with challenges instead of giving in to drug and substance abuse or associating with people who could push them into more challenges.

Speaking during a one-day Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) Annual Achievers Summit held at Garissa High School, JKF’s Garissa County Coordinator Nelson Oloo urged the learners to set their goals well and maintain good character, which could open doors for them.

“Through mentorship and interaction with facilitators, we are equipping our scholars with skills in academic excellence, career development, leadership, character formation, resilience, goal setting, responsible decision-making and personal responsibility,” Oloo said.

“We have also emphasised the dangers of drug and substance abuse, which can undermine a young person's education, health, relationships and future. We are encouraging our scholars to make informed choices, resist negative peer pressure and seek help when they encounter challenges,” he added.

Sheikh Hassan Abdi, the chairperson of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), regretted that drug abuse was a major challenge in the north-eastern region, calling on the learners to be the change needed to ensure that drug abuse in the region declines.

Sheikh reiterated that drug abuse was ‘haram’ under their religion, noting that even the Holy Quran prohibits drug abuse.

“The problem we have in Garissa town and the larger north-eastern region, which is inhabited by Muslims, is our youth who are abusing drugs. Anything that changes your good deeds or interferes with your mind is haram,” Sheikh Hassan said.

“Most learners are not going to school due to the use of drugs, and when they go, their concentration in class is limited. We want you to be the role models, avoid drugs and study hard so that you may achieve your dreams,” he added.

Korakora Assistant County Commissioner Paul Omondi warned that lives have been lost and dreams shattered through drug abuse, appealing to the students not to experiment with their lives through drugs or peer pressure.

“As a young person, you will and may encounter many forms of pressure, either from friends, social media or curiosity. You will have friends telling you just try; it does not harm. I talk to you as my young brothers and sisters; please do not engage yourselves in drugs,” Omondi said.

“We have seen lives lost, we have seen dreams of very bright students lost, and I kindly beseech you not to take that direction and do not experiment with drugs and substance abuse with your lives or your future,” he added.