Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni has rallied churches, communities and local administrators in Kirinyaga county to take the lead in embracing preventive healthcare, combating drugs and substance abuse and strengthening family values, and as part of the government’s wider agenda to build a resilient and more prosperous nation.
Speaking at Kiangwaci shopping centre, Ndia constituency, during a meeting with clergy and residents, Muthoni warned that drug abuse, poor hygiene and the weakening of family structures were silently undermining the country’s social fabric, while placing a heavy burden on families. She said the government is deepening grassroots partnerships to counter these threats.
The PS expressed concern over the rising use of tobacco, alcohol, shisha, and e-cigarettes, especially among young people, describing this emerging trend, as a ticking time bomb for the country’s future.
Muthoni reminded the public that shisha and e-cigarettes remain banned in Kenya, warning that secondary smoke was even more dangerous than direct smoking.
“Tobacco is an expensive and silent killer. We must have zero tolerance for smoking in our homes, schools, and public spaces,” she said.
The PS urged parents to remain vigilant over their children’s behavior and called upon public health officials to strictly enforce the Tobacco Control Act of 2007, which restricts cigarette and alcohol advertising, bans smoking in public and prohibits entertainment joints from operating near schools.
The area Assistant County Commissioner Dorothy Mwenda, echoed same sentiments, noting that drug abuse was fueling gender-based violence within families.
Mwenda assured residents that the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) was working hand in hand with communities, churches and the National Government Administrative officers to stamp out the vices.
On health, Muthoni stressed the importance of preventive measures, noting that many diseases affecting families can be avoided through simple practices such as clearing bushes to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, treating and storing drinking water properly and maintaining high standards of hygiene.
The PS cautioned against late diagnosis and self-medication, which remains major contributors to premature deaths.
“Let us not wait until it is too late. Seek medical attention early enough and allow our Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to guide families on preventive health, including screening for cancers,” she urged.
Muthoni also underscored the role of families and church in promoting wellness and moral values, saying they are the first line of defense against destructive habits among young people.
“When families are upright and united, they raise disciplined and focused children, who ultimately grow into productive members of society. The church must continue guiding families on this path,” she emphasized.
At the same time, the PS used the forum to popularize the government’s Social Health Authority (SHA), which seeks to deliver universal, affordable, and quality healthcare to all Kenyans.
She urged Kenyans to register in large numbers, noting that healthcare was a constitutional right and should not be politicized.
“This program is people-centered and not political. Every family must register to benefit from it,” she said.
She commended philanthropists and leaders who are paying premiums for vulnerable households, noting that such partnerships would ensure no family is left behind.
Muthoni further highlighted key development projects the government was undertaking in Kirinyaga county and other parts of the country, linking them directly to improved health and livelihoods.
Some of the initiatives being undertaken by the Kenya Kwanza government in the area include the ongoing Last Mile electricity program, expansion of road networks, construction affordable housing projects in Ndia and Sagana, the Sagana Industrial Park and the construction of a modern market in Kagio.
According to the PS, these initiatives are not just about infrastructure, but also aims at restoring dignity, reducing poverty and giving families opportunities to thrive.
“A family that has decent housing, reliable electricity, good roads, and a market to sell its produce is a family that enjoys better health and a brighter future,” she said.
The PS also called on leaders, parents, faith based organizations and grassroots administrators to put aside politics and focus on people-centered programs that safeguard health and strengthen communities.
“The fight against drugs, the push for preventive healthcare, the promotion of family values, and the rollout of development projects are about building a better future for our children.
We must all play our part in shaping a healthier and stronger Kenya,” she added.
by David Wandeto
