The affordable housing project in Kianyaga, Kirinyaga County, has turned out to be a rehabilitation centre for most youths working there and who had plunged into drugs and substance abuse.

Kennedy Muriuki, one of the casual laborers at the project said that before getting an opportunity to work at the project, he had gotten to desperation stage and became an alcoholic and was chewing miraa and smiling bhang.

Muriithi said that he would spend the night in illicit dens since he would not afford the approved liquor saying that he had lost all hope.

He said that even after getting the opportunity to work, it took him a month to adopt and be able to work since his body was so much used to alcohol and drugs adding that he has now been rehabilitated and is able to work and live clean from drugs.

Rose Wanjiku, a mason at the project said that with the working schedule at the project, the youths do not have time to go and engage in illicit activities as they go home to rest as the loo forward to the next day.

Wangui said that the project has also served as a technical training school for them saying that despite joining the project as a casual laborer, she has trained as a mason and now get a good pay.

The supervisor Nahashon Njenga for the project noted that they are now at 65 percent completion expecting to hand over the project by September this year.

He said that the project has had a great impact not only on the economy of the area but also in rehabilitating the youths and moving their mindset from alcohol and substance abuse.