Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday assured police officers leading the war against illicit brews, drug and substance abuse of full Government’s support.
The Deputy President warned perpetrators of the vices against attempts to attack the officers in the line of duty saying such actions will be dealt with sternly and firmly.
He said implementation of the Government’s directives against the illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse will continue undistracted despite the attacks on the officers.
“We have seen the criminals exercising impunity by attacking police officers. These criminals can run but they cannot hide. For the avoidance of doubt, President William Ruto has given clear instructions that the issue of illicit alcohol and drug abuse must be dealt with once and for all. This is a battle that the Government must win,” said Mr Gachagua.
Speaking when he visited Juja OCS, Chief Inspector John Misoi, who is admitted at Avenue Hospital in Thika town following an attack by illicit brewers during a crackdown in Gachororo village in Juja sub-county, Mr Gachagua said the government will not tolerate the incidents.
“What we have seen in Juja is an attempt by criminals to attack police officers so they can give up on this exercise. I want to assure them and the people of Kenya that this has strengthened our resolve to fight,” the DP assured.
He urged the officers not to be scared by those fighting back saying they will be properly dealt with.
“I assure all the police officers that the government will take care of them. We urge them to proceed with this war without any being discouraged because this war must be won. There is no stopping until this menace is eradicated. It may take one, two, three or more years, it will be on until there will be no illicit brews, drugs and substances in the country,” he said.
Mr Misoi was attacked with an arrow on Monday morning as he led the operation against criminal brewers and sellers of illicit alcohol in Gachororo village, Kiambu County. He underwent surgery on his leg and the arrow was removed by medics.
“He was admitted with severe injury on the leg, bleeding profusely and the arrow was stuck on his leg as it had penetrated to the knee. We stabilized the patient and removed the arrow successfully,” Hospital’s Orthopedic surgeon Dr Chege Mwangi said.
Deputy President Gachagua passed President Ruto’s quick recovery message to the officer.
“The President wishes you a quick recovery and encourages you to stay strong. The attack shows that you are doing a good job,” he told the officer.
Mr Gachagua said two suspects had already been arrested and will face serious criminal charges including attempted murder.
“Two suspects have already been arrested and they have been arraigned. The prosecutors have successfully been allowed to detain them for investigation to continue and they will be charged with appropriate offences including attempted murder,” he said.
The Deputy President also said better terms for officers were being finalised for rolling out starting July this year.
“The presidential task force on police reforms presented recommendations, and they are being worked out and from July 1, 2024 their terms of service will be improved by 40 per cent progressively in three years. Insurance for police officers who get injured or lose lives in their line of duty will have a package for their families so that they don’t suffer. We urge them to proceed with this war without being discouraged, it must be won. There is no stopping until this menace is eradicated,” he stated.
Further, DP Gachagua stated that the operation has borne fruit already asking for its intensification countrywide.
“We have re-energised our teams and there is a lot of supervision. The amount of ethanol that was coming in has lessened. Kenyans are now sober, we are getting good reports that even people who were taking alcohol have given up. The war is 70 per cent won,” he said.
The DP was accompanied by Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa and Juja MP George Koimburi among other leaders during the visit.
