Mutua sounds alarm as drug abuse blocks coast youth from lucrative jobs abroad
Labour CS Alfred Mutua warns that rising drug abuse is causing many Coast youth to fail mandatory medical tests and lose out on well-paying overseas jobs, particularly in Gulf and European markets.
Narcotics abuse is increasingly locking Coast youth out of well-paying jobs abroad, Labour Cabinet Secretary, Dr Alfred Mutua, has warned, noting that many applicants are being rejected after failing compulsory drug tests—especially for cannabis.
Mutua said young people from the region are losing out on international employment programmes because mandatory medical screenings continue to detect traces of narcotics in their blood, automatically disqualifying them from recruitment.
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Speaking during a fundraiser in Kilifi, he explained that while some youth from the Coast have successfully secured placements in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Germany, many others are eliminated before the process even begins.
“Many of our young people do not go through because the blood tests expose drug use. Cannabis can stay in the system for four to six months,” he said, urging the youth to give up drugs if they hope to benefit from overseas opportunities.
Clean record
He added that some applicants who did not progress far academically have still managed to secure well-paid work abroad simply because they maintained a clean record.
Mutua also called for stronger ties between the Kamba and Mijikenda communities, describing them as closely connected and destined to continue working together.
He praised Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro for including members of the Kamba community in his administration and encouraged communities living away from their home counties to partner with local governments to support development.
The CS, who attended the event alongside Governor Mung’aro, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi and Shella MCA Twahir Abdulkarim, also urged residents to support President William Ruto’s development agenda. He said the government remained focused on industrial growth and long-term investment rather than short-term political interests.
“President Ruto is focused on development that will benefit future generations. Housing, roads and water projects are part of that plan, and their impact will be felt long after he leaves office,” Mutua said.
Governor Mung’aro reiterated that Kilifi County would continue to operate inclusively and position itself to play a central role in national development.
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