Meru County has taken a bold step in tackling the growing youth addiction crisis, as Women Representative Hon. Karambu Kailemia launched the #KasoberTunawezabila campaign. The year-long initiative aims to reach tens of thousands of young people, positioning them as active agents of change rather than passive victims. At the campaign launch, hundreds of youth gathered to hear Kailemia outline a strategy that combines mentorship, economic empowerment, and community-driven awareness led by musicians, athletes, artists, and local leaders.
The campaign addresses a critical gap in traditional interventions that often rely on scare tactics. Hon. Kailemia emphasized practical motherhood, offering unconditional support while demanding accountability from youth struggling with drug abuse and gambling addiction. Social workers have highlighted that irresponsible betting and substance abuse are diverting young people’s limited incomes away from necessities like food, exacerbating cycles of poverty. By targeting these issues through peer-led initiatives, the campaign seeks to provide practical support and long-term solutions to the county’s youth crisis.
Public reaction has been largely positive, with many praising Kailemia’s hands-on, empathetic approach. Plans include community events across all six constituencies and the establishment of a rehabilitation centre to sustain the initiative. As Kenya grapples with high youth unemployment and rising addiction rates, Meru County’s campaign represents a potentially transformative model—one that leverages compassion, peer influence, and community engagement to protect a generation at risk.