Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the government is winning the fight against alcoholism in Mt Kenya region.
Speaking in Nyandarua County on Monday as he launched the Boda Yangu, Ofisi Yangu Programme, Gachagua reiterated that the fight is unstoppable and he won’t allow anyone to compromise the mission.
“We are working hard to eradicate the illicit brews which were dumped in the region. I want to thank the leaders and officers of the National Government Administration. We are 70 per cent successful, we are still remaining with 30 per cent,” Gachagua said.
“That fight is unstoppable and there is no compromise. I am not embarrassed about it."
He however expressed disappointment with some leaders saying some of them are not supporting the government in eliminating illicit alcohol and substance abuse.
“During Sagana meeting I told them that if they do not help us in this fight against alcoholism and drug abuse, which is likely to wipe out an entire generation, at the right time I will call them out. In the next election cycle, I won’t support any governor who has not worked with us in eradicating alcoholism," Gachagua said.
“Because if all these children vanish in alcohol, where is the future of our region?"
He affirmed that he won’t support any leader who is not helping to combat alcoholism while the country is losing an entire generation over drug abuse.
“I want to challenge our governors in Mt. Kenya region, those who are not willing to help us in this fight against drug abuse and alcoholism, should not expect support from some of us. And I won’t use any microphone to defend anyone who has not helped us in this fight,” Gachagua said.
“The youths are our supporters. If they perish in alcohol, who will elect us? Who will help our parents?”
He urged boda boda riders to maintain discipline during their work.
“You cannot drink and ride a motorbike. It cannot happen. You will fall down and die then we will come and make a contribution for you. That is the truth," Gachagau said.
The DP further said the Boda Boda subsector has eased the movement of goods and services adding that it is a pillar of the economy.
"The riders are real warriors of our economy. In our Bottom-Up approach, we want to engage the subsector to understand their bottlenecks for strategic interventions," Gachagua said.
"This will enable us to fully exploit the potential of this multimillion subsector and is achievable by coordinated collaboration between stakeholders and partners."
