Mombasa: Pwani Patriotic Religious Leaders have thrown their weight behind President William Ruto's intensified campaign against hard drugs and narcotics in the country. The leaders urged the Head of State to soldier on in his crackdown on drug cartels and called for collective national action to combat substance abuse that continues to devastate communities across the country.

According to Kenya News Agency, the group's chairperson, Sheikh Abu Qatada Namisi Salim, emphasized during a press conference in Mombasa that the fight against drugs extends beyond government responsibility to encompass all sectors of society. Namisi expressed support for the president's efforts in combating drugs, which he noted are ruining society and especially affecting the youth, leading them to crime to sustain their drug usage.

The leaders called for unity among political leaders, religious institutions, teachers, parents, and all stakeholders in combating the crisis, highlighting the impact of drugs on youth direction. Issa Omar, spokesperson for Pwani Patriotic Religious Leaders, read a press statement welcoming the president's firm stand against cocaine and other narcotics affecting Kenyan society.

The religious leaders highlighted that hard drugs pose threats to youth futures, family stability, public health, security, and national development. They emphasized that the fight is a moral, social, and spiritual responsibility, in addition to being a legal and security matter. Omar stressed the need for collective action and national unity to win this war.

They advocated for strengthened school-based programs and initiatives where religious and community leaders regularly visit schools to guide and mentor learners about the dangers of drug abuse. The group also called for affordable and accessible rehabilitation services for all Kenyans, arguing that recovery should be a right for every citizen seeking a second chance.

Ali Hassan Tito, a Mombasa resident, expressed gratitude for the presidential efforts and urged Kenyans to unite in the fight against drugs. Farida Rashid Seif, chair of the Kenya Muslim Women Alliance, revealed her organization's long-standing battle against drugs and called for severe penalties for those involved in the drugs business.

Seif emphasized the burden mothers bear in witnessing the destruction of their children by drugs. Ustadha Fatma Ahmed, a female madrassa teacher and community leader, expressed sadness over educated children succumbing to addiction and called for madrassa teachers to be trained in offering psychological counseling on the effects of drugs and substance abuse.

Source: Kenya News Agency