Pastor Dorcas Rigathi on Friday flagged off the 4.2KM Mental Health Awareness and Youth Empowerment walk in Gatunyu, Gatanga Constituency in Muranga County.
Pastor Dorcas, who was joined by various national and county leaders, walked from Gatunyu to Gatanga, a hilly terrain and acknowledging greetings from the locals.
The Second Lady sympathized with families that have lost ones to mental health problems, adding that many families had lost their peace, dreams and visions because of mental health issues.
“Be careful about your mental health because mental health problems are causing deaths. I know there are some clergy who would have attended this event, but they went to bury their child who killed himself because of mental health issues,” said Pastor Dorcas.
She noted that some with mental health issues also result to the abuse of alcohol, drugs and other substances.
“It is unfortunate when we keep burying our children because of alcohol under this satanic agenda that is killing especially the boy child,” she said.
Pastor Dorcas emphasized that the answer to the country’s economic and security problems was through the empowerment of the boy child who is the seed carrier, leader, protector, and economic driver.
“A family cannot be complete without a boy and a girl, and balanced families must be preserved and protected, even as we protect our laws and future of Kenya,” said Pastor Dorcas.
She also donated sewing machines, blow dryers, shaving machines, hair setting equipment, and cash to the Emmanuel Empowerment Centre, which in collaboration with the Gatanga Catholic Church is empowering the youth in the area through technical skills.
The leaders’ present expressed solidarity in the fight for the youth and the boy child.
They included Gatanga MP Wakili Edward Muriu, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Father Wilson Njoroge, DCC Damaris Kimondo and Emmanuel Empowerment Centre CEO Esther Wairimu among others.
“Thank you for covering the nakedness of the boy child, and working towards his empowerment. Also the church that has joined in touching the lives of the youth, who are our future,” said MP Sabina.
“I was here when they were having a family day, and saw the initiatives here and our youth are learning technical skills that can help them get a livelihood for life.”