Coast religious leaders launch campaign against drug abuse, incitement

Religious leaders in the coastal region have initiated a campaign to promote peace and raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse among the youth.

The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), which is spearheading the initiative, launched a series of events to engage young people in discussions about the impact of drugs on their lives and communities.

The campaign involves religious leaders preaching peace and encouraging youth across the coastal region to embrace harmony.

Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa, the CIPK organising secretary, stated that the leaders are leveraging the current period of calm in the country to advise the youth against being manipulated to incite violence, especially under the influence of drugs.

"There is nothing more harmful than drugs, which is why we have been advocating for the government to completely ban substances like miraa and muguka. When young people use drugs, they become easy targets for exploitation by gangs and unscrupulous politicians," explained Sheikh Khalifa.

Sheikh Mohammed Dor, the CIPK Secretary General, added that the campaign, which began in Mombasa with a large youth gathering, will extend throughout the coastal region. It aims to educate the youth on the importance of education and the responsible use of social media.

"We will continue to visit different counties, focussing on how to nurture young people aged 15 and above, emphasising the importance of education. We also urge parents to value education above all else. Considering the influence of social media and the groups that young people join, workshops like these will guide them in the right direction," stressed Sheikh Dor.

Religious leaders hope that by addressing the root causes of drug abuse and promoting peace, they can help create a more stable and secure environment for the youth and their communities.

The campaign comes at a time when there are more cases of insecurity and drug abuse in Mombasa County and other coastal areas. Incidents of rowdy youth being incited to disrupt peaceful Gen Z-led anti-government protests have become a significant concern in the country.

President William Ruto, while speaking against the protests in June, stated that criminals hijacked the peaceful exercise to wreak havoc across the country.

Sheikh Mohamed Dor, CIPK Secretary General. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)