Elimu scholars warned against drugs and negative influences

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

Hundreds of Grade 10 and Form One student benefiting from this year’s Elimu Scholarship Programme has been urged to shun drug and substance abuse and negative peer pressure that could derail their education and future.

The learners were also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance whenever they encounter challenges instead of turning to drugs or associating with people who could negatively influence their lives.

Speaking during a one-day Jomo Kenyatta Foundation (JKF) Annual Achievers Summit at Garissa High School, JKF Garissa County Coordinator Nelson Oloo urged the scholars to set clear goals, maintain good character, and make responsible decisions.

Oloo said the mentorship programme was designed to equip the learners with skills and values necessary for academic excellence, career development, leadership, resilience, and responsible decision-making.

“Through mentorship and interaction with facilitators, we are equipping our scholars with skills in academic excellence, career development, leadership, character formation, resilience, goal setting, responsible decision-making, and personal responsibility,” said Oloo.

He said the programme had also placed emphasis on the dangers of drug and substance abuse, which could undermine young people’s education, health, relationships, and future prospects.

“We have also emphasized the dangers of drug and substance abuse, which can undermine a young person’s education, health, relationships, and future. We are encouraging our scholars to make informed choices, resist negative peer pressure, and seek help when they encounter challenges,” he said.

Oloo urged the scholars to remain focused on their studies and make use of the support available to them whenever they faced difficulties.

Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Sheikh Hassan Abdi said drug abuse remained a major challenge among young people in Garissa and the wider North Eastern region.

He challenged the learners to become role models and help reverse the trend by avoiding drugs and encouraging their peers to make positive choices.

Sheikh Hassan said drug abuse was prohibited in Islam, noting that the Holy Quran forbids practices that interfere with an individual’s well-being and ability to make sound decisions.

“The problem we have in Garissa town and the larger North Eastern region, which is inhabited by Muslims, is our youth who are abusing drugs. Anything that changes your good deeds or interferes with your mind is haram,” he said.

He warned that drug abuse was affecting students’ concentration and contributing to school absenteeism, urging the scholars to remain focused on their education.

“Most learners are not going to school due to the use of drugs, and when they go, their concentration in class is limited. We want you to be the role models, avoid drugs, and study hard so that you may achieve your dreams,” he added.

Korakora Assistant County Commissioner Paul Omondi similarly cautioned the learners against experimenting with drugs, saying peer pressure, social media influence, and curiosity could expose young people to harmful behavior.

He urged students to resist friends who encourage them to experiment with drugs and instead seek support from teachers, parents, mentors, and other trusted adults.

“As a young person, you will and may encounter many forms of pressure, either from friends, social media, or curiosity. You will have friends telling you, “Just try; it does not harm.” I talk to you as my young brothers and sisters; please do not engage yourselves in drugs,” Omondi said.

He said drug abuse had resulted in lost lives and shattered the dreams of promising young people, urging the scholars to protect their future by making responsible choices.

By Erick Kyalo

Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.