Communities living in Lugari Sub-County have been urged not to spend heavily on circumcision ceremonies and fail to pay school fees next year.
Lugari Deputy County Commissioner Moses Gicharu while speaking during Jamhuri celebrations at St. Francis Secondary School Sports Ground, Majengo, expressed his deep concern over the heavy expenditure displayed during traditional circumcision ceremonies which have attained their peak this season.
Gicharu's worries were triggered by reports that some parents had deliberately channelled their resources to other non-productive areas while their children remained at home due to unpaid school fees arrears.
“We have no future if we spend our entire resources on traditional circumcision ceremonies and fail to pay school fees next year,” Gicharu warned.
He maintained that the future of Lugari communities will be in deep crisis if parents deliberately fail to put their children in school and yet they have resources.
The DCC regretted that the high school dropout rate experienced in Lugari Sub-County is a red indicator that we are headed to an unprecedented social crisis if we don’t change now.
“I won’t fear to inform you that increased criminal activities in our community have been aggravated by our children who drop out of school,” Gicharu added.
Meanwhile, Gicharu asked many churches spread in Lugari Sub-County to help in fighting the consumption of illicit brew in the area.
He challenged religious leaders to educate their followers on the risks associated with the continued consumption of illicit local liquor.
“I am impressed that there are so many churches here in Lugari who should help us bring down consumption of illicit brew,” the DCC revealed.
Gicharu noted that consumption of illicit brew is associated with disco matanga which has been burned.
The DCC warned that music systems used to enhance disco matanga and consumption of local brew will be confiscated.
“Licensed bar owners are making losses due to the high availability of outlawed local brew, hence inadequate revenue collection,” Gicharu said.
The DCC however assured the residents of maximum security during this festive season.
“We have a plan to ensure you have a safe Christmas and also ensure to share what you have with those who are poor,” Gicharu emphasised.
The Jamuhuri celebration was also attended by Kakamega County Government leaders led by Lugari Sub-County Administrator Mary Mukatia who emphasised the need to tame teenage pregnancy which stood at 12,900 cases last year alone.
Other leaders present were the Sub-County Police Commander Bernard Ngungu and other security team leaders.
