Governors urged to curb alcohol abuse, insecurity

Drums of illicit brew found at Nairobi's Mukuru-Sinai slums in a past raid. Photo/SAMMY KIMATU

County governments in Central region have an uphill task of curbing insecurity and alcoholism.

“Alcoholism is expected to pose a great challenge to the new leaders,” said outgoing Central Provincial Commissioner Japhter Rugut.

Governors are now grappling with meagre resources to deal with the governance challenges arising from youth unemployment, insecurity and alcoholism.

Murang’a County Governor Mwangi wa Iria said the biggest challenge facing the new devolved governments was tackling youth unemployment.

Mr Mwangi said that the National Youth Service (NYS), being one of the best equipped institutions catering for young people’s needs, should work with county governments to empower the youth.

“The institution is one of the best equipped youth institutions in the country, and if NYS partners with devolved governments, there are many things young people can achieve from this,” said Mr Mwangi.

He said his county government would approach the NYS and map out areas where they could collaborate to provide job opportunities for the youth.

Mr Rugut called for collaboration between the national and county governments to create jobs.

“We can only do this in an environment where we have peace, where people work together and where people are willing to work towards developing even those rural areas,” said Mr Rugut.

Mr Rugut, who was Central Province PC for seven years, urged the new leaders in county governments to build on the gains made by the previous administration.