Inside push to curb teen pregnancies and drug abuse during this festive season
By People Daily Digital Reporter, December 19, 2025As the country hurtles towards the festive season, Members of Parliament (MPs) have called for constructive activities for the youths in efforts to fight teenage pregnancies and drug abuse.
This also comes days after the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, issued a warning amid the government’s crackdown on surging crime rates during the festive season.
Kanja said that regular consultations among commanders and intelligence units allow the police to be adequately prepared and responsive to emerging threats.
“We must, from time to time, come together to discuss and strategise because we must at all times remain a step ahead of criminals,” Kanja said.
“We are hopeful that even as the festive season draws closer, all Kenyans will have enough security.”
Speaking on Friday, December 19, 2025, Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri stated that keeping young people engaged through constructive activities is key to fighting social vices such as teenage pregnancies and substance abuse.
‘We must keep our young people engaged in positive and productive activities if we are to win the fight against teenage pregnancies and drug abuse,” he said.
Police on crime rates
Moreover, the police have tightened their plans afoot to ensure security in a period when crime rates increase in most parts of the country.
For instance, in Emuhaya sub-county in Vihiga County, Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Opere Ongosi has warned residents to avoid night jamborees, citing safety concerns.
Speaking on Friday, December 12, 2025, during Jamhuri Day, Ongosi said the ban aims at curbing insecurity cases in the area during the festive season.
” We have banned any form of night music, DISCOs. Anyone who is found flouting the order will be dealt with firmly and decisively. I have instructed my security teams to impound those music items and arrest the owners who will be playing music at DISCOs at night. Those music instruments will not be released to the owner, and this aims to curb cases of insecurity,” Ongosi said.
Ongosi said he has directed security officers to impound night music systems, noting that criminals exploit night discos, and assured that measures are in place for a safe December and New Year in Emuhaya and Vihiga.
The OCPD also asked parents to take care of their young children during this festive season and not to engage in crime and other unethical behaviour, warning that highway criminals are stealing from long-distance trucks along the Kisumu-Busia highway.
He revealed that he has deployed plainclothes police officers who are manning the highway.
“I am sounding a warning to those highway criminals robbing long-distance trucks along the Kisumu-Busia road. I have deployed my officers, and they will deal with you accordingly,” he cautioned.
At the same time, he said the security officials are going to conduct inspections of all bars and restaurants in the area to ensure they comply with the set laws and regulations.
” We are going to inspect all bars and restaurants in the area to ensure they comply with the set laws, regulations and standards. Those bars and restaurants that have not complied with regulations will be closed,” he said.