- Gachagua said that the battle on illicit brew and drug substances is huge in the region.
- The Deputy President acknowledged that certain leaders contribute to the selling of illicit substances where they are given kickbacks as payment.
Image: Rigathi Gachagua
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday warned chiefs and police officers in the Mt Kenya region, signalling a robust response to the issue of illicit brews and drug abuse in the area.
Gachagua was speaking in Kangai, Kirinyaga, during the mass burial for 17 individuals who lost their lives after consuming illicit brew.
He called for an emergency meeting with Mt Kenya chiefs and their assistants to discuss the way forward on Thursday in Nyeri.
Scheduled for Thursday in Nyeri, the DP said the meeting will include Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
Gachagua said that the battle on illicit brew and drug substances is huge in the region.
"On Thursday, I will come here with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki; we would like to meet all chiefs in this region, and we are ready to fire them and employ new ones," he said.
The Deputy President acknowledged that certain leaders contribute to the selling of illicit substances where they are reportedly given kickbacks as payment.
He described it as a serious problem for the current generation.
"We have a problem, a serious one, with illicit alcohol and substance abuse," he reiterated.
He noted that the battle on drugs in Mt Kenya hasn't been successful.
He further requested to be facilitated with names of policers who operate pubs and clubs terming the move to operate them as a conflict of interest.
In addition to cautioning governors against licensing businesses that sell drugs, Gachagua made it clear that senior police officers failing to enforce the war against drugs would not be transferred to other stations.
"We will not allow any move on drugs; police officers will be fired when found culpable. We will not transfer them again, and we will not relent on the fights," he said.
"We will not allow any move on drugs, police officers will be fired when found culpable, we will not transfer them again and we will not relent on the fights."
He said he will not be intimidated.
Gachagua was accompanied by Mt Kenya leaders among them Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
Waiguru labelled the death of the 17 individuals as a blow to society and pledged to join Gachagua's efforts in the fight against drugs.
He was also accompanied by Lands CS Alice Wahome, Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau and Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni (State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards).
Others included, Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango, Mary Maingi, (Mwea MP), Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, Mary Wamaua (Maragua MP) and Rindikiri Mugambi among others.