Kiambu, Kenya: First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called on leaders in Kiambu County to tackle alcoholism in the region, which has seen scores of youth become zombies.
"Alcohol has become an epidemic and it exposes young people to HIV infections, I urge the local leaders to urgently address alcohol and substance abuse," urged the First Lady.
Early this month, four people died after consuming illicit brew, while several others were hospitalised.
Mrs Kenyatta was speaking at Mirithu primary school when she officially handed over a mobile clinic in the area purchased through her Beyond Zero Campaign. Kiambu is the eleventh county to benefit.
Kenyatta congratulated Kiambu County for being the first county to come up with a health strategic plan which will ensure residents of the county access affordable health care.
She urged other counties to emulate, saying it is the only way Kenya can manage provision of health care which is a requirement in the constitution.
"I take this chance to congratulate Kiambu county for being county number one to come up with a health strategic plan, I urge other counties to follow the same," said the First Lady.
The plan was launched by Governor William Kabogo on Wednesday this week at the Kiambu county headquarters where he said that devolution of health services has offered counties the perfect opportunity to transform health sector in the country.
At the same time she urged the county to come up with a strategy to guide development in the wake of real estate trends which is becoming a big threat to coffee and tea, where farmers are uprooting the crops to pave way for real estate.
She called on counties to zone areas for development and others for agricultural activities if at all they want to achieve any development and at the same time be food secure.
The event was graced by Governor William Kabogo, his wife Philomena Kabogo and Deputy Governor Gerald Githinji, and MPs, Ann Nyokabi and John Kiragu.
On his part Kabogo and Kiragu urged Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia who was also present to give guidance on cancer, which has killed more people that HIV/Aids.
Kabogo said his government will put up cancer screening units in health facilities in the county.
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