Vihiga elders asked to join hands in fight against drug abuse among youth
By Enock Amukhale, December 6, 2025Elders in Vihiga County have been asked to help shape the characters of youth by instilling good moral values.
The leaders from Vihiga County observed rampant moral decay among the youth, which calls for interventions by the elders and the church.
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The leaders, while addressing the public during the coronation of former Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) Joab Osiako as the Abamutete elder and spokesman, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, decried that most of the youths in Vihiga County are hooked on the abuse of drugs, particularly illicit brew and bhang.
Luanda Member of Parliament (MP) Dick Maungu asked elders to join the fight against illicit alcohol abuse, which he said is destroying the young generation, especially in Luanda and its environs.
The MP noted with concern that Luanda has mushrooming illicit chang’aa dens where young boys and girls go to consume poisonous stuff as police go round collecting bribes from the dealers. He stated that many families have lost young, energetic boys and girls after consuming illicit brews.
“A leader is one who knows the way and shows the way. From that point, I appeal to our elders to join the fight against illicit alcohol abuse, which is destroying our young generation, especially in Luanda and its environs,” said Maungu.
Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi, who attended the event, said elders play a pivotal role in guiding decisions on major matters affecting the people, offering counsel that strengthens unity and coherence.
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He noted that the installation ceremony of Osiako is a renewed sense of purpose and an assurance that the Abamutete community remains anchored on strong, respected and visionary leadership.
Etale Livingstone and an elder from Bunyonyi asked police to help them close the chang’aa dens at Luanda market. He pointed at an incident where a youth was beaten to death in a chang’aa den in Luanda after failing to pay for the illicit stuff.
“The police should help us crack down on the illicit chang’aa dens in Luanda. A young man was killed in a chang’aa den in Luanda, leaving behind his young wife and children,” decried Etale.