Turbo:Kimilili Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has emphasized the importance of responsible leadership in combating alcohol and drug abuse. He urged leaders to set an example by abstaining from these vices themselves.
According to Kenya News Agency, Barasa stressed that efforts to dissuade young people from engaging in substance abuse will be ineffective if leaders continue to engage in such behaviors. Addressing participants at the Chepsaita Cross Country Run in Turbo Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, he noted that leaders must embody responsible conduct and discourage alcohol consumption to influence the youth positively.
Barasa highlighted the broader goals of the Chepsaita Cross Country Run, which include mobilizing resources for education, improving public infrastructure, and supporting vulnerable community members. He remarked on the event’s impact on enhancing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children and improving infrastructure in public institutions.
The MP urged Kenyans to adopt a philanthropic attitude, emphasizing that helping the vulnerable is a personal duty, independent of one’s financial capability. He advocated for a national dialogue on alcohol advertising, pointing out the heightened exposure of young people to digital alcohol promotions.
Furthermore, Barasa proposed creating alternative income sources for women engaged in traditional brewing to lessen the dependency on alcohol production. He praised Farouk Kibet, the event’s patron, for uniting leaders and stakeholders in community development initiatives.
Barasa called for national unity, rejecting tribalism and encouraging leaders to focus on citizens’ welfare beyond ethnic divisions. He highlighted that initiatives like the Chepsaita Cross Country Run show how communities can come together to support the less fortunate without relying on constitutional changes.
