Youth urged to embrace morality during festive season

By Peter Ochieng

Youth in Bungoma and other parts of the country have been urged to embrace morality, during the entire December festive season.

According to Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka, the high rate of teenage pregnancies in the border devolved unit has everything to do diminished moral standing in society.

"The alarming increase in teenage pregnancies amongst school girls is concerning. This clearly indicates a decline in our values. Please, turn back to the church," he urged.

Speaking on Wednesday during the Western Kenya Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) jamboree Conference at Bungoma National Polytechnic, formerly Sang'alo Institute, Lusaka emphasized on the crucial role the SDA Church plays in fostering strong moral values among youths.

"The SDA Church has demonstrably contributed to building a socially robust moral fabric. I commend their unwavering efforts."

He stressed on the importance of working together to secure the future of the current generation.

"We must retrace our steps and rediscover our lost morals. Protecting our children is essential for ensuring their future and our succession," he added.

The governor appealed to parents to remain vigilant 24/7 so as to ensure their children don't engage in harmful activities, during the extended festive season.

"It is the ultimate responsibility of parents to safeguard their children. Be watchful to prevent negative influences," he stated.

On Tuesday, during Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Posta grounds in Bungoma, Lusaka said he was ashamed due to the fact that his county was among the leading in cases of teenage pregnancies.

"I am ashamed to say that many surveys have ranked Bungoma county as top in matters of gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy. This is a label that we must reverse and do so collectively."

"I urge you youths not to destroy your future by exposing yourselves to early pregnancies, HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. The scriptures tell us that good things come to those who wait, so please be patient and you will enjoy long life," he said.