How Lamu parents have resorted to donkey racing to keep teenagers off drugs

In recent times, donkeys in Lamu County have become a vital element in combating the drug menace, particularly among teenagers.

Eastleigh Voice has established that, aside from their usual role of ferrying people and goods, donkeys are being used to keep young men occupied, especially during the long school holidays, thereby steering them away from the temptation of drug use.

The most commonly abused drugs in Lamu include bhang, heroin, and cocaine, all of which are colloquially referred to as ‘unga.’

Drug abuse has turned many youths in Lamu into so-called "zombies." However, in recent years, many households in the archipelago have discovered a novel way of safeguarding their teenagers from various vices, including drug abuse and early sexual activity. Families have started buying racing donkeys for their children, keeping them engaged and occupied throughout the day.

Lamu residents celebrate after a donkey race. (Farhiya Hussein)

Notably, donkeys are highly valued in Lamu Old Town. Unlike in other parts of Kenya and the world, these 'beasts of burden' are cherished more than vehicles or motorcycles.

“As parents here on Lamu Island, we’ve gone the extra mile of buying special racing donkeys for our youngsters. This is because we want to keep our children busy instead of leaving them idle, which could lead them into the wrong hands. Drug dealers target these young people and lure them into drug peddling and other vices,” said Twalib Omar, a resident.

He added that with racing donkeys, many youngsters spend their time training in the streets with their animals.

“This has completely taken away the free time they would otherwise have spent wandering the streets, seeking drugs and engaging in early sexual activity, particularly during the long holiday season,” Omar explained.

Ahmed Athman, a parent and donkey racing trainer on Lamu Island, reported an increase in young people seeking training in donkey racing during this holiday season.

Teens prepare for a donkey race in Lamu Old Town. (Farhiya Hussein)

Ahmed coaches Bilali Hassan, 13, who won this year’s Lamu Cultural Festival Donkey Race and received a prize worth Sh150,000.

“I have been receiving many requests to teach young people how to race donkeys. During this long holiday, many parents have taken the initiative to buy racing donkeys for their children, keeping them fully occupied. This prevents them from loitering in the streets and engaging in inappropriate activities, including drug use and early sexual behaviour,” said Ahmed.

Hassan Yusuf, the father of 15-year-old Ahmed Hassan, said he had promised to buy his son a racing donkey for the holiday season and ensured he kept his word.

Hassan also hired a trainer to keep his son engaged from 7 am to 5 pm daily, with a break only at lunchtime.

“I’ve instructed the trainer to keep him busy so he doesn’t have time to wander the streets and risk being lured into drugs,” Hassan explained.

He expressed concern about the vulnerability of many young people on Lamu Island to drug use and morality if left unsupervised during the holidays.

“In Lamu, if you leave a boy unsupervised, there are plenty of bad influences. They will target your child and ruin him. That’s why I looked for something my son enjoys. He loves donkey racing, so I bought him a special racing donkey. For now, it’s all about training. He has no time to waste on the streets,” Hassan said.

Teens prepare for a donkey race in Lamu Old Town. (Farhiya Hussein)

The Chief Executive Officer of the Lamu Child Protection Initiative (LCPI), Abdulaziz Swadiq, praised parents in Lamu for coming up with such a creative approach to protect their children during the long holidays.

“I commend the parents of Lamu Island for using donkeys to keep their children safe from harmful influences. However, they should not forget the girl child. Parents must also monitor their daughters’ behaviour closely to ensure they are not deceived,” Abdulaziz said.

He added that parents should also take steps to prevent their daughters from accessing the internet unsupervised, where they could be exploited by unscrupulous individuals.

This initiative by Lamu parents coincides with advice from Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech, who has urged parents to remain vigilant and actively monitor their children’s movements.

Koech has previously encouraged parents to involve their children in various sports during the holidays to keep them busy and away from negative influences.