Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Teenage Pregnancies a Menace in Vihiga and Bungoma Counties

Mixed reactions across the counties of Western Kenya over the weekend have sparked a wave of concern in the counties of Bungoma and Vihiga

Just what is ailing the western region?

Teenage Pregnancies in Bungoma County

Governor Kenneth Lusaka while addressing residents of Webuye East expressed shock at what he said was a menace of teenage pregnancies in the county

Citing a school that allegedly has 21 pregnant students and 31 who had just given birth and reported back to school, the Bungoma governor says the situation is alarming and needs immediate action to tame the vice which is affecting the education of school going children

This comes even as it remains a mystery as to who is to blame for the increased pregnancies in Bungoma county

Are efforts directed towards the girl child all in vain?

Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Vihiga County

The national administration has in recent months cracked down on alcohol and drug abuse in Vihiga county as it emerged that illegal brew and drugs were turning out to be a menace in the county

Addressing Vihiga residents during Mashujaa day celebrations on 20^th October, Governor Wilber Otichilo says he is astonished at the rate at which boys are dropping out of school

“Alcohol has destroyed our boys, When I go to schools now days, I only see girls, they sing, recite poems, but if you see a boy, may be just one, playing a drum” Governor Otichilo said reiterating how bad the situation is in Vihiga

He added that the boy child in Vihiga county is endangered because of alcohol and drug abuse besides those who now do boda boda business instead of going to school

Vihiga county commissioner Felix Watakila says the crackdown will now be intensified with the county government support saying all is in place to close down Lotto machine centers, stop alcohol brewing and curb drug and substance abuse in the county

A spot check of the two counties leaves much to worry about considering the issues ailing the region could be much deeper with exact numbers of teen pregnancies and drop outs yet to be unearthed