Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has beseeched the youth to shun alcoholism for the sake of their future.
Addressing students of Murang'a University of Technology in Murang'a County during a public lecture, Gachagua used his example to demonstrate how his decision to stop drinking helped transform him into the man he is today.
Gachagua recalled how he used to spend his entire night at a bar taking alcohol.
The popular joint, he said had a one-man guitar performer hence he would stay there until morning.
The DP said that he would sometimes drink a whole crate of beer or even one and a half.
"I used to drink a lot myself, a lot, a crate, a crate and a half of beer...I had some little money so I would stay there (in the bar) till morning, drink and drink and get wasted," Gachagua said.
"Since I made the decision to quit drinking my path has been rosy and you can see where I stand today," he said.
He said most of the friends he used to drink with then had become wasted, had died or could barely afford to put food on the table.
"Many of my drinking buddies, most of them are dead, others are zombies, others are ruined, they look for me to give them something to eat today," Gachagua said.
He added:
"Please our young people, I cry for you, President William Ruto cries for you. I have come to talk to you to ask you with tremendous respect and humility that your future is bright, please don’t ruin it."
His call comes even as the government intensified its crackdown on illicit brews and drug abuse in the country.
This week, the government started vetting alcohol manufacturers in the country in a move aimed at weeding out the sale of illicit brew.
In a statement, Interior PS Raymond Omollo who chairs a specialised multi-agency team spearheading the vetting exercise said the verification phase commenced Monday, March 18, 2024.
The decision to vet alcohol manufacturers was reached after the ministry held a consultative meeting on March 12, 2024, at the GSU Training School.
The assembly was attended by 55 out of 64 alcoholic drinks manufacturers.
PS Omollo added that the focus will be on spirit manufacturers, with over 29 premises expected to undergo examination.
