Drought, Drugs and Substance Abuse Dominate Discussions in Garissa

13 December 2025 - Concerns of dry spell that is threatening both human and animals as well usage of drugs and substance abuse featured prominently at Garissa's Jamhuri Day celebrations.‎‎Religious leaders called on the government to intervene ‎as the majority of youths are now addicted to hard drugs, a situation they claimed is going out of hand.‎‎Sheikh Hassam Abdullahi of Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim (Supkem) said the lives of would-be future leaders are being destroyed as a result of drugs and substance abuse and there is need for government crackdown on drug peddlers.‎‎"of great concern to us is the drugs have affected these youths’ health, economic situation and even some have dropped out of school because of these drugs, a solution must be found," he said.‎‎The cleric said drugs are so rampant in Garissa town that getting it is like buying household goods such as sugar.‎‎Sheikh Hassan said as a result of ongoing drought conflict has emerged in neighbouring Tana River County this he noted is because pastoralists from Garissa have moved to neighbouring counties in search of water and pasture.‎‎He urged both the Governor and Garissa County Commissioner to look for solutions by meeting with the leadership of Tana River County.‎‎Dertu ward representative Aden Hassan Odowa said the drought situation is going out of hand with people especially in rural areas migrating in search of water and pasture, a matter he noted requires urgent attention.

The ward representative slammed both the county and national government for doing nothing to reduce the effects of drought despite repeated calls for intervention.

Odowa said while politicians are busy in campaign moods, their voters in sub-counties are seriously suffering

“What are we celebrating when our people are thirty and there is no water, it’s a must we remember that we have a responsibility because we are in an alarming situation in this county today,” he said.

He said there is still time for elections and leaders ought to currently engage in meaningful contributions that have positive impacts on their lives instead of constant campaigning.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo acknowledged that there was low rainfall across the region that has prompted the current drought situation, but warned that relief from government to reduce effects of drought has found its way to the market.

“We have asked for relief from special programs but it's unfortunate it found its way in the market which I didn’t expect would happen,” he said.

The county commissioner said the government will not allow anyone to die of hunger calling all stakeholders to come together to find solutions adding that the situation is dire and is evolving by the day.