Head of Public Service Felix Koskei with the clergy during the meeting held in Eldoret on June 13, 2026/HANDOUT
Religious leaders from across the country have raised concern over rising cases of alcoholism, drug abuse and unrest in schools, calling for a coordinated national response to address the challenges facing young people.
The concerns were raised at the Tisiikab Gaa Fellowship in Eldoret, where clergy drawn from across the region met to deliberate on pressing social issues affecting communities and the nation, in a forum attended by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
According to Koskei, the religious leaders expressed concern over the growing impact of alcohol and substance abuse, particularly among the youth, saying the vice is increasingly affecting families, schools and society at large.
“The clergy raised concern over the growing challenge of alcoholism and drug abuse, particularly among young people, and its wider impact on families, schools and society,” Koskei said.
The clergy called on the government to intensify the fight against illicit alcohol, narcotics and other harmful substances by dismantling supply networks responsible for distributing the products.
“They called on government to intensify action against the supply chains of illicit brews, dangerous alcohol and narcotic substances,” he said.
Beyond enforcement measures, the clergy urged the government and development partners to invest more resources in rehabilitation and recovery programmes to support victims of addiction.
“They also urged government and other partners to expand treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to help victims recover and rebuild their lives,” Koskei said.
The religious leaders also turned their attention to the state of national cohesion, expressing concern over divisive politics and the growing tendency to mobilise citizens along ethnic lines.
They pledged to play a leading role in promoting peaceful coexistence and strengthening national unity.
“The clergy committed to take the lead in promoting national cohesion, advancing peace and discouraging ethnic politics that divide communities and weaken our shared national identity,” Koskei said.
The meeting also discussed recent incidents of unrest in schools, with participants warning that indiscipline among learners poses a threat to the education sector if not urgently addressed.
The clergy called for closer collaboration among parents, teachers, students, faith-based organisations and government agencies to restore discipline and safeguard learning institutions.
“They addressed recent cases of unrest in schools and called on parents, teachers, learners, faith institutions and Government to work together to restore discipline, protect learners and keep schools safe for learning, mentorship and character formation,” Koskei said.
The Head of Public Service emphasised the need for collective responsibility in tackling the challenges facing the country, particularly those affecting young people.
“We must continue working together as Government, families, schools, faith institutions and communities to protect our young people, uphold peace and strengthen the moral and social fabric of our society,” he said.
The call comes amid increasing concern over drug and substance abuse among the youth, rising cases of school unrest and growing demands for greater efforts to foster national unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
