- Gachagua warned all those engaged in the illegal trade saying the government will clamp down on them mercilessly.
- The DP also used the occasion to emphasise the unity of the communities in the Mount Kenya region.
Image: Rigathi Gachagua/X
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has insisted that the government will not back down in the ongoing crackdown on the sale of illicit and illegal brews across the county.
Gachagua spoke days after chairing a multi-agency meeting at his Karen home to strategise on how security agencies can efficiently fight illicit brews across the country.
Speaking in Nyeri on Saturday night, Gachagua warned all those engaged in the illegal trade saying the government will clamp down on them mercilessly.
“The government distinguishes between legal and illicit alcohol. We have a series of interventions that will see complete eradication of the poisonous alcoholic drinks once and for all,'' Gachagua said.
''We must protect our youth from destruction by illicit and illegal brews. Recently, we lost 23 people in Kirinyaga to poisonous alcoholic drinks.”
He spoke on Saturday night at Honi Resort, Kieni, Nyeri County during the fifth edition of Ngogoyo Ya Rware music extravaganza.
Earlier in the day, Gachagua fired a warning to those involved in the processing and selling of illicit brew, saying it would not be business as usual.
He said the Kenya Kwanza administration is working on tougher interventions that will wholly be implemented collectively by respective government agencies.
"I held a meeting this week with top Government officials and senior security officers and we have agreed on these measures which will be rolled out from next week," he said.
Gachagua was speaking on Saturday at Kapserton SDA Church in Mosop Constituency, Nandi County.
"We are determined to make our country safe from these killer drinks. We will make sure the manufacturers of these drinks will leave this country for good. We cannot allow Kenyans to be sold poison in the guise of alcoholic drinks," he added.
Observing the greatness of strong family institutions in the country, the Deputy President urged parents and elders to nurture good morals among children.
“Let us build strong families and take care of our children. I am grateful families are coming back again, resulting from the government’s decision to eradicate the illicit brews,” he said.
The DP also used the occasion to emphasise the unity of the communities in the Mount Kenya region and support each other, as he urged residents to reject divisive politics