- The DP emphasised that the target is traders who have been selling poisonous alcohol.
- He assured Kenyans that they will continue enforcing stringent measures to ensure illicit brew gets off the market.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the government will not relent on the ongoing nationwide crackdown on illicit liquor manufacturers.
He asked the multi-agency security team to tighten the war on drugs and substance abuse.
The DP was speaking on Saturday during a fundraiser at Abothuguchi Boys High School in Imenti Central Constituency, Meru County.
He assured Kenyans that they will continue enforcing stringent measures to ensure illicit brew gets off the market.
"The President, CS Kindiki and I have resolved that we can't allow the lives of our youths to be destroyed by illicit brews. We have deployed stringent measures to save the generation. Those selling legit alcoholic drinks will not be affected," he said.
The DP emphasised that the target is traders who have been selling poisonous alcohol.
Speaking on coffee subsector reforms, he said the government has defeated cartels and brokers who were profiteering from farmers' sweat.
Gachagua said the reforms were yielding returns and enumerated several measures taken by the government to transform the agricultural sector to cushion farmers from losses.
Since the reforms started, he said, farmers' income from coffee has increased.
"The government will continue implementing policy reforms to facilitate sustainability of the agriculture sector," he added.
The Deputy President told Imenti residents that the Mariene-Githongo market road will be constructed and Sh77 million has been set aside for rural electrification project in Imenti Central constituency.
Leaders present praised Gachagua over his leadership in agricultural reforms, the fight against illegal brew and addressing complaints by small-holder farmers.
They also commended the DP for uniting Mt Kenya leaders irrespective of their political affiliation.
"Under the leadership of DP Gachagua we have seen Mt Kenya people uniting and for the first time we have no divisions of Mt Kenya East and West since he reaches out to all leaders," Mbeere South MP Nebeart Muriuki said.
Area MPs called on Opposition leaders to engage in constructive criticism of the government.
Education CS Ezekile Machogu who was also present said the new funding model rolled out recently has ensured students from poor backgrounds have access government funding for their university education.
Speakers at the event also lauded the government for streamlining the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the rolling out the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.
Besides Machogu, the DP was accompanid by MPs Moses Kirima Nguchine (Imenti Central), Meru Woman Rep Elizabeth Kairemia, Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South), John Mutunga (Tigania West), Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), Patrick Munene (Chuka Igamba-Ng'ombe), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Vincent Kawaya (Mwala), Robert Pukose (Endebes).
Woman Representatives Amina Dika (Tana River) and Cynthia Muge (Nandi), Nominated MP Dorothy Ikiara, MCAs led by Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi and former Head of Public Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura were also present.