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.
Speaking during a press conference in Mombasa, the group’s chairperson, Sheikh Abu Qatada Namisi Salim, emphasized that the fight against drugs extends beyond government responsibility to encompass all sectors of society.
“We are here to support the efforts taken by the president in the national fight against drugs, which are ruining our society. These drugs are destroying our future, especially that of our youth, who even turn to crime to sustain their drug usage,” Namisi said.
He called for unity among political leaders, religious institutions, teachers, parents, and all stakeholders in combating the crisis, noting that it is sad for society when youth lack direction due to heavy influence from hard drugs and narcotics.
Issa Omar, spokesperson for Pwani Patriotic Religious Leaders, read a press statement welcoming the president’s firm stand against cocaine and other narcotics destroying Kenyan society.
The religious leaders highlighted that hard drugs pose a grave threat to youth futures, family stability, public health, security, and national development. They emphasized that the fight is not only a legal and security matter but also a moral, social, and spiritual responsibility.
“This war cannot be won by the government alone. It requires collective action and national unity,” Omar said.
The group called for strengthened school-based programs, including structured initiatives where religious and community leaders regularly visit schools to guide, mentor, and speak to learners about the dangers of drug abuse, moral values, discipline, and life purpose.
They further demanded that rehabilitation services be made affordable and accessible to all Kenyans regardless of social or economic status, arguing that recovery should be a right rather than a privilege for every citizen seeking a second chance.
Ali Hassan Tito, a Mombasa resident, expressed gratitude for the presidential efforts and urged all Kenyans to unite in the fight without fear of naming those involved in the drugs business.
Farida Rashid Seif, chair of the Kenya Muslim Women Alliance, revealed that her organization has been combating drugs since 2010. She noted that every family in Kenya knows at least one loved one affected by drug abuse.
“The people doing this to our children, youth, and society at large should face the death penalty because they are murderers who have destroyed many lives,” Seif said, calling on Members of Parliament to support such measures when tabled before them.
She emphasized that mothers bear the heaviest burden, knowing the pain of seeing children they raised reach a certain age only to be destroyed by drugs instead of benefiting society.
Ustadha Fatma Ahmed, a female madrassa teacher and community leader, expressed sadness at seeing children educated to university level succumb to drug addiction.
She called for madrassa teachers to receive training in offering psychological counseling on the effects of drugs and substance abuse, arguing they should not focus on religious instruction alone.
By Sitati Reagan
