Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a stern warning to chiefs in Nyeri over the drug menace.
Speaking on Wednesday, Gachagua said chiefs should not earn salaries if they cannot end drugs in their areas.
"The war on alcohol and drug abuse is on and the government policy on that matter is very clear. I pronounced it very clearly on behalf of President William Ruto that chiefs and their assistants are incompatible with drugs and illicit alcohol," he said.
"In a location, we cannot have chiefs and illicit alcohol at the same time. One has to give way and since alcohol cannot make a decision because it has no mind, the person to make the decision is the chief. The Chief should decide if it is him who will stay in the location or the drugs."
The DP issued an 11-day ultimatum for them to decide whether they will end drugs or not.
Gachagua said he is a Christian and a husband to a pastor and he is not after chiefs losing their jobs.
The DP said his role is to create employment and not make people lose jobs.
"I want to speak from here as a father to our chiefs and assistant chiefs. Please, I plead with you. I don't want your children to suffer, and I want you to continue earning your salaries but if you cannot deal with this situation, allow us to look for somebody else to do it. It is that simple and it is clear as December 25, Christmas Day. There is nothing to discuss," he said.
The DP added that local leaders know the drug peddlers and even indulge themselves sometimes.
He said the chiefs are trying to protect them from being arrested.
The DP told the leaders of the area that when they allow drugs to be sold, their own children will end up consuming them.
