Former Chairman of the anti-drug abuse agency NACADA John Mututho is calling for the arrest and investigation of Roots Party presidential candidate Prof George Wajackoyah for promoting drug abuse claiming that he is bent on ruining the morals of the youth.

The Nakuru senatorial aspirant has castigated the presidential hopeful for creating false hope of emancipation from financial challenges in the young generation, as it seems to deter them from the issue at hand which is poor governance.

"Wajackoyah should be investigated and if found having bhang he should be locked up. He should be stopped from giving Kenyans, especially the youth, false hope that bhang can help solve their problems," Mr Mututho stated in an interview with the Nation on Monday, June 20.

Prof Wajackoyah has pledged to legalize marijuana if elected as fifth President on August 9, citing the economic merits that the commercialisation of the  herb will have on Kenya, particularly curtailing the ballooning national debt.

This according to Mututho, is a plot to hoodwink Kenyans by instilling a false narrative to help his bid for the presidency. He even likened the situation to Ethiopia and Jamaica where the herb is legalized but are still faced with challenges in their economies.

"He is telling lies that bhang can help revamp Kenya's economy to be the best in the world and also in paying our debts. This is not true," Mututho stated.

"If this is the case, then why is it that a whole province in neighbouring Ethiopia, where bhang has been legalised, is still poor? Why is it that Jamaica, where the drug has been legalized, is not a superpower? Prof Wajackoyah should stop giving false hope."

He stated that his stint as NACADA chair, he witnessed the adverse effects that drugs have on the youth, and warned voters against electing leaders who promote immoral practices, but focus on those who were intent on serving the electorate.

"We have spent years fighting drug abuse and Wajackoyah should not be allowed to introduce more problems in Kenya. I own a rehabilitation centre and I understand how drugs and substance use have ruined the lives of our youth across the country,” he said.