A wellness and rehabilitation centre launched by Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi in Rumuruti, Laikipia County will have a detention centre for correcting petty offenders.
At the ground-breaking of the construction of the facility on Wednesday, Ms Rigathi said her office would collaborate with the Judiciary and the county governments in the initiative.
“We are going to do something that has not been done before that is going to be done by the national government, the county governments and the Judiciary where our children who are in schools and have been arrested in other petty crimes and they are in prisons, we want to have a detention centre here where they will join the others for rehabilitation where they will also be skilled. By the time they are done, they will be productive to society,” she said.
The rehab centre will have a health facility, a rehabilitation centre, a digital hub, a sports academy, a vocational training and a prayer centre among other activities, she said.
The Second Lady added that those in the centre will also be skilled in agribusiness and entrepreneurial skills.
The centre will also offer free therapy for those suffering from cerebral palsy and autism.
“This facility will also house one of the largest occupational therapies for those with cerebral palsy, those suffering from autism will be coming here and we will be giving them treatment for free,” she said.
Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu welcomed the construction of the facility, adding that it will go a long way in equipping the local youth with vocational skills as well as offering job opportunities for the locals.
Ms Rigathi has been leading rehabilitation programs for youth hooked on drugs and substance abuse.
Her office says the programs have so far rehabilitated more than 200 youth across Meru, Nairobi, Kiambu and Bomet counties.
