Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cautioned National Government Administration Officers against sabotaging and politicizing the fight on the sale and consumption of illicit brews, drugs, and substance abuse.
Urging the officers to disallow the reopening of illegal bars that were closed down for violating Alcoholic Drinks and Control Regulations, Mr Gachagua said the move amounts to undermining President William Ruto and Kenyans.
This, he emphasized, is because in March this year, the Cabinet ratified enforcement measures to tackle the problem of illicit alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
Arising from the Cabinet decision, illegal liquor joints and alcohol manufacturers were closed down.
But speaking on Sunday at the PEFA Church Kiamariga, Nyeri County, the Deputy President said some Government officers were interfering with the crackdown and allowing for reopening of illegal bars.
“I sat with President William Ruto (On the issue of illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse) and we agreed there was a problem. He told me to lead the war against illicit brews and drug abuse; among the regions widely affected was Mount Kenya. We were losing an entire generation. The matter went to the Cabinet and was endorsed. We formed a multi-agency team and made substantial progress and illegal bars were closed. People were happy and supported the exercise,” said Mr Gachagua.
“Some bars have been reopened. No decision has been made by the Cabinet to stop war against illicit or allow the illegal liquor joints to reopen. Anybody stopping or undermining the fight is setting the President and the Government against the people of Kenya”.
He stated that “one of the most successful Government interventions that made Kenyans happy, especially in Mount Kenya region, was the war against the illicit brews” since the vice had proliferated and ruined lives.
Prior to the Cabinet decision, many people had lost their lives to the illicit and poisonous brews while others were left blind. Families and livelihoods had also been broken.
Mr Gachagua said that there were overzealous Government officers sabotaging and politicising the exercise, a move that he said will also create a wedge between the President and the people of Kenya.
“Popularity of this administration will depend on interference or non-interference with the war against illicit brews. Parents were happy with the Government because of the war. The Interior (Ministry of Interior and National Administration) officers reopening the bars should know that they are spoiling for the President, and causing political damage for him,” said Mr Gachagua.
He asked the officers not to take instructions from politicians.
“Stop playing politics with the lives of the people. There are officers introducing primitive politics to undermine the programme. I believe the President is not part of it and some people are using his name to cause damage,” he said.
At the Church service, the Deputy President was accompanied by his Spouse Pastor Dorcas, and other leaders.
Pastor Dorcas asked young people to observe law and order even as they push for their rights.
She also said that she will continue with the Boy Child Rehabilitation and Mentorship programme, so as to restore the dignity of the youth affected by drugs and alcoholism.
“I won’t stop the boy child programme. I urge the Church to participate and open doors for those affected by illicit brews and drug abuse. The Church has the power and authority to do what is supposed to be done. Some people have been reformed and made families,” she said.
She stated that so far over 1,700 people have been rehabilitated and assisted to acquire various skills to create livelihoods.
