Unemployment drives youths to drugs

By Josphat  Mwosya Mwangangi

In Kenya, 80 percent of the nation’s 2.3 million unemployed are young people between 15 and 34 years of age, according to a U.N. Development Programme report. The report also indicates that youth in their 20s face a rate of 30 percent, with youth under 25 years old bearing the brunt of the problem. Many university graduates often go unemployed for months upon months, considered overqualified for even low-paying jobs considered menial, such as shop-keeping at the local mall.

Youth have therefore resorted to menial work to eke a living. Down here in Mutomo a big chunk of the youth population have embraced the khat (miraa) business locally known as Muguuka. Not only are they the major sellers but they also constitute

Youths chewing khat(Photo: Rhoda Musili/ALIN)

the majority customers of the stimulant. This is a booming business in the town as 21 year old Mary Kathini Mutukaa, a miraa vendor, attests.

The well-known side effects notwithstanding, majority of these youths continue to engage in the vice since they are jobless and lack capital to start own businesses. Research shows that Khat has a lot of side effects majorly being physiological and sexual.

To the chewers, khat gives them an out of the world experience as one of the chewers narrated “Chewing khat makes me feel like am immortal,” says a chewer.

Khat sold in Mutomo is bought from Meru and Mbeere. Khat (Catha edulis) is a leafy green plant containing 2 main stimulants. Their main effects are similar to, but less powerful than, amphetamine (Speed). Stimulants speed up your mind and body. Khat is used mostly in Africa