ATHI RIVER, Kenya – The Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, has called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to join forces in tackling the rising number of school dropouts and the growing threats to children’s safety in the country.
Speaking at Athi River Primary School during the Chief’s Climate Action Day, Dr. Omollo stressed that the future of the country is at risk if immediate action is not taken to safeguard children from early school leaving, drug abuse, and exploitation.
His remarks came amid rising concerns over the increasing challenges faced by young people, especially in marginalized areas.
“We must unite as a society to ensure our children have the opportunity to thrive,” Dr. Omollo said. “Our children are our greatest resource. We cannot afford to lose them to drugs, crime, or hopelessness. Parents have sacrificed so much to keep them in school. As the government, we are committed to ensuring that every child not only attends school but is protected from all forms of exploitation.”
The Principal Secretary urged national government administrators to work closely with school leadership, parents’ associations, and religious groups to implement effective strategies that will help children stay in school.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Internal Security is ramping up efforts to intervene at the grassroots level to combat the factors contributing to school dropout rates.
Dr. Omollo also expressed deep concern over the increasing rates of drug and substance abuse, particularly in towns such as Athi River, which he said expose young people to illegal activities and exploitation.
“We will not allow a generation to be destroyed for profit,” he declared, warning that drug traffickers and unscrupulous businesspeople will face strong government action.
His remarks underscored the government’s commitment to cracking down on harmful activities that threaten the welfare of children and the youth.
Led by the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), we joined the residents of Athi River, Machakos County, in commemorating the Chiefs’ Climate Action Day, a monthly initiative championing grassroots-driven climate action.This nationwide campaign, anchored in the
During the event, Dr. Omollo led a symbolic tree-planting exercise as part of the Chief’s Climate Action Day, a national initiative aligned with President William Ruto’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
He commended Machakos County for its outstanding performance in the tree-planting campaign, despite the challenges posed by environmental factors.
“We are here not just to plant trees, but to plant hope and restore dignity,” Dr. Omollo remarked. “Education and climate action go hand in hand because without a safe, educated generation, we cannot talk about sustainable development.”
Dr. Omollo also appealed to industries in the area to support education and environmental programs, urging the private sector to invest in the communities where they operate.
His call was aimed at fostering collaborative efforts that bring together both public and private entities to address critical issues affecting children, education, and the environment.
The event was attended by officials from the county government, school leadership from Athi River Primary and Junior Secondary, as well as local chiefs, assistant chiefs, and representatives from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the National Drought Management Authority (NDOC).
