Kilifi: Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has issued a warning that the widespread abuse of narcotic drugs is preventing youth from the Coast region from accessing lucrative employment opportunities abroad. He highlighted that many young individuals from the area have been unable to pass mandatory drug tests, particularly for marijuana, during interviews for overseas jobs.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Mutua, speaking at a fundraiser organized by the Wasya wa Mbaitu Society, a Community Based Organisation for the Kamba community in Kilifi, pointed out that most applicants fail the necessary blood tests due to the presence of narcotics. 'Many of our young people miss these opportunities because they fail the blood test. Marijuana smoke remains in the system for four to six months,' he explained.
While acknowledging that some youth from the region have successfully secured jobs abroad, Dr. Mutua noted that many others are disqualified once drug particles are detected in their blood. 'Some of them never get to travel because the tests reveal drug use. That alone disqualifies them,' he noted.
Dr. Mutua urged young people across the Coast to avoid drugs to benefit from international job placements, which he said offer good pay and have transformed many lives. 'We have taken many young people abroad. Some are in Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, and others in Germany. Recruitment has even been conducted here in Malindi,' he said.
He encouraged the youth to steer clear of drug use, emphasizing the impact it has on their employment prospects. 'You see young people who did not progress far in school now working abroad simply because they do not use drugs. Young people, stop the marijuana parties,' the CS urged.
Dr. Mutua also highlighted the importance of unity between the Kamba and Mijikenda communities, describing them as 'one people' who will continue to collaborate. He expressed gratitude to Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro for appointing members of the Kamba community to his administration and encouraged communities living outside their home regions to embrace unity and work closely with county governments to enhance national development.
Accompanied by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, and Shella MCA Twahir Abdulkarim, Dr. Mutua urged Kenyans to support President William Ruto's development agenda. He emphasized that Ruto's administration is focused on long-term growth and industrialization rather than short-term goals.
Governor Mung'aro assured residents that Kilifi would continue working within a broad-based framework, emphasizing that the county is poised to play a key role in future development.