DP Gachagua meets central MCAs over legislation to deal with alcoholism

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua arrives at Lake Naivasha Resort for a consultative meeting with leaders from Central Kenya in dealing with the illicit menace in the region. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

All the five counties affected by illicit brews and drug abuse in central Kenya have agreed to come up with a common legislation to deal with the menace.

In a joint campaign that is been led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the counties of Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Muranga and Kiambu will have the proposals ready by Monday, May 8.

DP Gachagua announced that the fight against the menace would start from Central and later shift to Rift Valley, Eastern and Nairobi.

He identified "weak laws and low fines" as some of the major challenges facing the fight against illicit brews and drugs.

Gachagua called for stringent laws and punitive fines which would make it impossible for those involved to return to business.

"I am happy that the five counties have agreed to come up with a common law which will help in this fight that has adversely affected our next generation," he said.

Gachagua proposed that any vehicle found ferrying the brews be impounded by respective counties and licensing should be done annually.

He expressed concern over the high number of bars and wines & spirits that were located within small trading centres noting that this should be reviewed by the liqour licensing boards.

While challenging the MCAs to make history as the leaders who managed to deal with the crisis, he said that data from NACADA had identified Central as the most affected region.

"We are asking the county assembly to be involved in the formulation of liquor licensing boards which should have men and women of integrity," he said.

The DP said that parliament had provided the stakeholders with drafters who would help them come up with required laws in the shortest time possible.

"Once we have set the required laws in Central Kenya, the war will now shift to nearby counties of Nakuru, Laikipia, Kajiado and Nairobi," he said.

The Chief of Staff in the DP office George MacGoye said that they had met senior security officers where several gaps had been identified.

He said that several initiatives were already in place adding that the war on the drugs and illicit brews was underway.

"In our meetings, we have agreed on the need to come up with new and strict laws that will address this challenge once and for all," he said.