- Assistant County Commissioner Grace Wasoi says illicit alcohol is contributing to insecurity and youth-related problems in Keumbu.
- She warns politicians against involving secondary school students in political activities and urges youth to embrace TVET training.
- Security officials say calm has returned following unrest linked to the death of Vincent Osiemo.
The recent unrest in Keumbu Town, which disrupted business for a week following the death of youth Vincent Osiemo, has been linked to excessive consumption of illicit brews allegedly brought into the town and sold to young people.
Addressing a public gathering in Keumbu Division, Assistant County Commissioner Grace Wasoi issued a stern warning to politicians against misusing youth, particularly secondary school students, to advance their political interests.
She said involving school-going children in such activities violates laws protecting children and potentially exposes them to danger.
Wasoi urged young people to keep themselves engaged by enrolling in local Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to acquire skills that could enable them to become economically independent instead of relying on short-lived political handouts.
She called on leaders to organise youth into groups and link them with lending organisations and non-governmental organisations that can support them to establish businesses.
Wasoi cited buying and transporting bananas to major towns as one of the viable ventures young people could pursue.
“We have a constant source of bananas which are in high demand in other parts of the country. I urge our youth to engage in this business to help themselves and their families,” she said.
Security operations reinforced
Wasoi assured residents that calm had returned to Keumbu and pledged that security agencies would work to sustain peace.
She said Nyumba Kumi operations in the town had been strengthened, with elders involved in efforts to maintain peace and security.
The administrator reminded residents that security begins with individuals and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or unfamiliar persons to the relevant authorities.
Wasoi also cautioned parents against allowing young school-going children to travel unaccompanied, saying this could expose them to road accidents along the Keumbu-Kisii highway and other safety risks.
Area Nyumba Kumi leader James Bundei warned against school-going children loitering in the market late in the evening, saying parents should take greater responsibility for their children’s whereabouts and behaviour.
He attributed the problem to inadequate parental supervision, peer influence, idleness and economic hardship that sometimes pushes children to seek casual work or handouts.
Residents thanked the ACC and her team for holding the meeting aimed at restoring calm following the burial of Vincent Osiemo at his Gionseri home.
The burial was attended by local leaders, including former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, former Cabinet minister Prof Sam Ongeri and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi.
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Residents urged young people to remain at the forefront of efforts to maintain peace, describing stability and security as essential ingredients for development.
By Enock Okongó
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