DP Gachagua warns against laxity in war on illicit brew, drugs

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking to Cabinet Secretaries when he chaired a Committee of the whole Cabinet, the first, at the Deputy President's Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi on May 22, 2023. [DPCS] Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has today kicked off the fight against illicit brew and drugs in Upper Eastern region. Administrators, security officers, and politicians were on the receiving end, as it emerged that they were part of beneficiaries of manufacturers and distributors of illicit alcohol. The gathering was told how some of the major brewers were pumping big money into political campaigns. "We have told the OCS and OCPDs that they know who is selling drugs. They collect protection money. They must eradicate harmful alcohol and drugs or get out," said Gachagua. Speaking in Chuka, the DP said unlike in the past when officers who do not deliver were transferred to other areas, President William Ruto's government will not go that route. "You will not be transferred if bad alcohol and drugs are found in your area. There will be no transfers to other areas because that is tantamount to transferring a problem to another area. You will go home," he told the security officers Gachagua fired a warning to national government administrators in the region, saying anyone found falling short of expectations in the fight against illicit brew and drugs, will be fired. In no holds barred speeches in Meru on Sunday and Kirubia in Chuka yesterday, the Deputy President said the government would not relent in the fight against the substance abuse, or entertain commissioners, deputy commissioners, chiefs, and their assistants sleeping on the job. Gachagua declared that he was committed to win the war against illicit brew that is a threat to the development of locals. He put police commanders on the spot, saying they knew the manufacturers and distributors of illicit brew and they would be held responsible if they do not eradicate it. The DP gave the officers 10 days to shape up or ship out in the campaign against illicit brews and bhang. "You must make a decision today on what you want. It has been agreed at the National Security Council under the chairmanship of the president, that no OCS will go on a transfer for allowing crime, peddling of drugs, and illicit alcohol in your area. We want to issue a notice of 10 days then decide who is going and who is staying," he said. "It has been agreed that an assistant chief and illicit and bhang cannot coexist in a sub-location. The decision is entirely in the hands of the chief and assistant chiefs to decide who is to give way," he added. He said the assistant county commissioners, deputy county commissioners, and regional commissioners would be made accountable for non-performing chiefs. "You are accountable for a non-performance of the chiefs. So if your chiefs are not performing and you have not sent them home you are the one to go home because the buck stops with you," he said. He said the chiefs knew the illicit brewers and should deal with them. Gachugua further said that it was the duty of the county and regional commissioners to enforce the president's order to eradicate illicit brew. He directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, National Intelligence Service, police, and customs officials at border points to prevent entry of bhang into the country. Gachagua: Public officials main hindrance in illicit brews battle "You must do your job. If you cannot let us get a new team to do the job," he said. Gachagua asked Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki who accompanied him to crack down on illicit brewers. "The same way you have suppressed the bandits you should also do the same with illicit brews because the president and I will support you," he said. He urged governors to use 'sin tax,' the revenue from alcohol and bar licenses, for advocacy and to build rehabilitation centres. "All the revenue from alcohol and bars should not go to the construction of roads. Let it go to advocacy and building rehabilitation centres for those who are beyond help," he said. Prof Kindiki warned of stern action against officers colluding with illicit brewers. He said the proliferation of the substances had become the fifth biggest threat to national security. Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and Chuka-Igambang'ombe MP Patrick Munene revealed that some politicians are funded by illicit brewers. "I am going to be a suicide bomber as far as this matter is concerned. We will do whatever it takes to make sure our people are safe," said Njuki, adding that illicit brews and bhang were rampant in the area. The National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada) officer Alex Njeru in a presentation revealed the routes smugglers of ethanol use including Moyale bordering Ethiopia. "There is a lot of ethanol around. If we did not have smuggled alcohol we would not be having the problem of second-generation alcohol," Njeru said. Interestingly, he said storage of the drugs that have been confiscated from smugglers pose a health risk to police officers, because of lack of appropriate storage for exhibits. Tharaka Nithi Woman Rep Susan Ngugi called for the empowerment of area managers to ensure the substances are eradicated. In attendance were Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza her Marsabit counterpart Mohamud Ali, and Cabinet Secretaries Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), Moses Kuria (Trader), and Susan Nakhumicha (Health). Others were MPs Gitonga Murugara, Kareke Mbiuki, John Paul Mwirigi, Moses Kirima, Mugambi Rindikiri and Meru Woman Rep Elizabeth Kailemia.

DP Gachagua warns against laxity in war on illicit brew, drugs

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