Wednesday March 20, 2019
Mandera women representative Mandera women representative Amina Gedow speaking after the tournament in Mandera town. Image: Stephen Astariko
MP leads campaign against miraa and other narcotics
Mandera county on Sunday held football march finals as part of its campaign against drug and substance abuse.
The competition between the six subcounties started in February culminating in the Sunday final.
Woman Rep Amina Gedow said sports play an important role in curbing rampant drug abuse by the youth.
She said miraa (khat) and narcotic drug abuse was on the increase, ruining the future of the youth.
The legislator said the football march was geared towards reversing the vice by engaging youths to engage in productive activities as they constitute the largest percentage of the country's population.
"Our youth are now turning away from miraa chewing and drug abuse to football, something that will improve their living standards," Gedow said.
The Woman Rep Cup was part of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund that is geared towards nurturing talents among the youth.
The National Treasury releases Sh6 million per quarter to women members of Parliament to support youth talent and deter them from engaging in crime.
Youths are at risk of drug abuse and other illegal activities including recruitment into terror group in neighbouring Somalia.
Mandera North has in the past been the scene of deadly inter-clan clashes between the Garre and Degodia who now co-exist harmoniously.
Governor Ali Roba promised to upscale sporting competitions, saying there will be the Governors' Cup in the future.
Roba has in the past been instrumental in curbing inter-clan clashes by holding meetings to cool down tribal animosities in the border county.