NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 14 – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has now declared that nobody will be spared in the war against illicit alcohol and drug abuse.
According to Gachagua, the government will not rest until it has decisively dealt with the vice.
He was speaking during a convened multi-stakeholder forum in Nyeri to discuss status and strategies of ending illicit brew and substance abuse.
“The illicit brews have demolished the family structure. It is evident. For instance, the number of children joining early childhood education has declined,” he said.
“We shall not rest until we decisively deal with alcohol and substance abuse to save our youth, to save our family, and bring back our dignity, we can’t let this continue further. That is why the candid discussion today is key towards a lasting solution,” he stated.
He added that more consultative forums will be held across the country including Nakuru, Mombasa, Kakamega, and Embu.
Interior Cabinet Secretray Kithure Kindiki also reiterated that his ministry is aligned and committed to wage a sustained war against the use of illicit brew and abuse of drugs in the country.
Kindiki added that the use of alcohol and drug abuse is a problem that is likely to impair the country’s future in a big way if not delt with.
He emphasized that drug abuse and use of alcohol will be dealt with same vigor, commitment and finality as terrorism and banditry.
“After terrorism and banditry, is trade, use and abuse of illicit alcohol as well as psychotropic substances and drugs. This is a problem that is likely to impair Kenya’s future in a big way if it not dealt with,” he said.
“Having profiled the problem of illicit alcohol and drug abuse among the top three national security threats, we will deal with it with the same vigor, focus, commitment and finality as we have invested in dealing with terrorism and banditry.”
He stated that the government will put initiatives and even camp in the areas affected by illicit alcohol and drug abuse and wage a similar if not more vicious war against the terror of illicit alcohol, drugs and psychotropic substances.
“For us to deal with this problem, we must be candid with each other. This is about our country, our young people, our families and our future,” he added.
On April 9 during Easter Sunday church service at the PCEA Ngorano church in Mathira, the DP noted that the Mount Kenya Region had borne the brunt of illicit brew and drug abuse.
Gachagua blamed the uncontrolled booze selling joints for the high percentage of drug misuse.
He stated that the situation was critical and that the region was in danger of losing an entire generation to the threat, particularly in the five counties in central Kenya.
“If we don’t act now, an entire generation faces the risk of being wiped out in the next 10 years,” he said.
“The president is equally concerned with this disturbing and sad situation and that is why I have convened a conference bringing together all the region’s leadership and security officers.”
