Artist Kapkeno in Uasin Gishu County Steers Countywide War Against Drug and Substance Abuse.
These will include school and community sensitization programs, public forums, and preventive education initiatives aimed at reducing first-time drug use and supporting those seeking recovery.
The appointment aligns with recent community-led campaigns, including Kapkeno’s own 47-hour “stay up the tree” anti-drug awareness challenge in Eldoret, which drew public attention and participation. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Uasin Gishu County has intensified its war against the drug and substance abuse menace after Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim appointed renowned local musician Kapkeno as a champion of the county’s anti-drug campaign. This will now shift the focus towards more youth-centered approaches in trying to address what is probably the most persistent social challenge in the region.
County officials confirmed the appointment, which quickly became popular on social media sites. It will see Kapkeno emerge as one of the main public advocates in the continuing efforts to curb alcohol and drug misuse. The ambassador will notably serve as a recognizable face of the campaign targeting young people, who are most vulnerable to substance abuse.
Governor Bii’s administration has lately put a lot of effort into addressing problems concerning alcohol and drugs that have been ravaging the country in recent months. Partnerships with national government agencies, community-based organizations, religious institutions, and rehabilitation centers have been established as a way of dealing with the scourge. The merger of the strategies includes public awareness, rehabilitation support, policy enforcement, and community engagement through which the causes and consequences of substance abuse are tackled.
All eyes will be on Kapkeno as the appointment is expected to bring a fresh impetus to the ongoing initiatives. With the artist known for having a great connection with the youth and speaking on contemporary issues through art and public engagement, he is anticipated to lead awareness campaigns, go to community forums, and discourage drug use while promoting positive and productive lifestyles through his platform.
In addition, the decision follows from Kapkeno’s direct participation in campaigns against drugs. Recently, he hogged headlines when he undertook a 47-hour “stay up the tree” challenge held in Eldoret as symbolic graffiti against drug abuse. The initiative brought in the public through the participatory process and word about the dangers associated with substance abuse, especially among young people. Leaders of the county say this serves to show his dedication to the initiative by action rather than mere words.
Those who support the appointment say that the involvement of iconic persons in the creative industry can greatly enhance the value of public health campaigns. It can, however, be noted that messages from relatable role models strike relatively deeper chords with the younger audience than with the traditional way of building messages. The opportunity for young people who might be out of reach otherwise will be created by Kapkeno’s visibility, they say.
Under the new arrangement, county leadership, anti-drug agencies, and community groups are expected to work closely with the ambassador to expand outreach efforts. These will include school and community sensitization programs, public forums, and preventive education initiatives aimed at reducing first-time drug use and supporting those seeking recovery.
The appointment comes at a time when Uasin Gishu County has stepped up measures on substance misuse through multi-agency operations on illicit brews and drugs, as well as enhanced community awareness campaigns. They say a combined force of enforcement as well as education is highly effective to the sustainable addressing of the problem.
The Kapkeno-touch will go a long way in enhancing the message against drugs to the minds that have already been misled and redirecting behavior to positive change, thus fulfilling the wider agenda of the county of making a healthier drug-free society.
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