Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a stern warning to those undermining the ongoing war against illicit brew in Central Kenya, stating that their actions are setting President William Ruto against the people.
Gachagua also urged the president not to allow members at Harambee House which hosts the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to interfere with the fight.
Gachagua on Harambee House
“Mr. President, if you allow overzealous officers at Harambe House to interfere with this war against illicit brew, those officers will set you up against the people,” Gachagua declared.
The DP recounted the gravity of the substance abuse problem in the region, which led to his appointment to lead the efforts against it.
“I was here with the president and my boss, and we agreed that there was a big problem. The president asked me to lead the war against substance abuse, particularly in the Mount Kenya region. We were losing an entire generation, and the president asked me to take charge. This matter even reached the cabinet, and we agreed on the necessary steps,” Gachagua said.
He revealed that under his leadership, a multi-agency team was assembled, resulting in significant progress.
“Our children are back to work, and we shut down all the bars selling local brew, which has made people very happy,” he reported.
Despite these strides, Gachagua expressed concern over recent developments.
“However, I heard that our local member of parliament has directed security officers in Karatina to open bars. A member of parliament cannot instruct security officers. I warn the security officers in this region not to take instructions from a member of parliament. We shall discipline them,” he asserted.
Gachagua shared a troubling incident he witnessed firsthand as he went on his morning walk at Hombe Forest.
“This morning, while walking around the village, I came face-to-face with a situation I thought we had dealt with a year ago. I found some young men drunk at 6 a.m., indicating that some bars have reopened.”
Gachagua’s commitment
He emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to the cause and stated that there was no point if the ban on bars had been lifted
“Let me be clear. First, I have never missed a single cabinet meeting, so there is no decision by the cabinet to stop the war against substances. Second, in the last meeting I chaired, we confirmed that we are on course. This war against alcohol is one of the most successful interventions, making people very happy in this country and this region,” he noted.
Gachagua warned that any attempt to halt or undermine these efforts would have dire consequences.
“Anyone stopping or undermining this war is setting the president and the government against the people. Some people at the interior might think they can interfere to undermine the deputy president because he has been leading this war and has become famous. By doing so, you are effectively undermining President William Ruto and his administration,” he concluded.