Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has warned that rampant narcotic drug abuse is locking Coast youth out of lucrative overseas employment opportunities.
He said many youth from the region had failed mandatory drug tests, particularly for marijuana, during interviews for overseas jobs.
Speaking at a fundraiser for the purchase of a community bus organised by the Wasya wa Mbaitu Society, a Community Based Organisation for the Kamba community living in Kilifi, Dr Mutua said most applicants fail mandatory blood tests after traces of narcotics are detected.
“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 a number of youth from the region have successfully secured jobs abroad, he noted that many others are disqualified once drug particles are found 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 shun drugs so they could benefit from international job placements, which he said offered 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.
“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 emphasised unity between the Kamba and Mijikenda communities, describing them as “one people” who will continue to work together.
He thanked Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro for appointing members of the Kamba community to his administration.
He asked communities living outside their home regions to embrace unity and work closely with county governments to strengthen national development and applauded the Kamba community for their commitment to local progress.
Mutua, who was accompanied by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi and Shella MCA Twahir Abdulkarim, urged Kenyans to support President William Ruto’s development agenda.
He said Ruto’s administration remained focused on industrialising Kenya and building long‑term growth rather than pursuing short‑term goals.
“President Ruto is focused on development for future generations. He is not just working for today—he wants long-term progress.
Look at housing, roads, and water projects—these are all Ruto’s initiatives. He wants our children to benefit even after he leaves office,” Dr Mutua said.
Governor Mung’aro assured residents that Kilifi would continue working within a broad‑based framework, adding that the county was poised to play a key role in future development.
By Martin Mwangolo
