Catholic priest in Kisii blames boda boda riders for rising drug addiction among students

Drugs seized in a school during a past inspection. File photo

A cleric in Kisii Catholic Diocese has blamed boda boda operators for ferrying drugs to boarding schools, saying it is ruining learners.

Father Lawrence Nyaanga noted parents and guardians give items to the operators to deliver them to their children in schools and the operators use the chance to smuggle drugs to students.

He said the operators collude with the students to buy drugs from dealers without the knowledge of the teachers, parents and guardians.

“Students contribute pocket money and give it the operators to buy and sneak the drugs to schools,” Father Nyaanga told the Education News on phone.

The Priest appealed to school Principals and guards to be vigilant and check items the operators ferry to students to weed out drugs.

“We do not want students to abuse drugs, fail national examinations and start blaming school Principals,” Father Nyaanga noted.

The Cleric challenged parents and guardians to check boxes of their children during holidays to ensure they do not hide drugs.

” If you discover that your child is abusing drugs, get a religious leader or counselor to guide him or her,” Father Nyaanga noted.

He appealed to chiefs to raid kiosks selling wines and spirits near schools, noting, some sellers also sell drugs to students.

Meanwhile, Kisii School Chief Principal, Fred Mogaka said students who abuse drugs fail in national exams and affect the mean score of schools.

He said the school uses police sniffer dogs to detect drugs when students report to school after holiday, noting, it has aided fight drug abuse in the school.

“Our boarding master and guards are vigilant. Students found with drugs know the consequences,” Mogaka told Education News.

By Emmanuel Gwakoi

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