The state Department of Internal Security and National Administration has condemned what it terms as “reckless statements” made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in a church service he attended yesterday, where he accused the government of deliberately targeting citizens of Mt. Kenya region with illicit and counterfeit alcohol distribution.
Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo says the problem of substance misuse affects people from all walks of life, including parents, children, spouses, and interrupts the family dynamics as well as affects the physical and mental health of everyone in it, and one should not trivialise the issue like Gachagua did.
“Only this weekend we had the unfortunate tragic loss of lives of three Kenyans in Nakuru following the consumption of illicit alcohol and their families are in mourning. We take great exception that such grave national matters can be trivialized by one individual, on a church podium nonetheless, without empathy for the families that may be struggling with this crisis,” Dr Omollo said in a statement.
The department says that in every corner of the country, government officials are involved in the fight against illicit alcohol including chiefs and their assistants who are part of their communities. PS Omollo says that it inconceivable that those government officials would preside over what Gachagua accuses them of.
“While it is clear for every citizen to see that this is a selfish politically motivated inflammatory statement, it is also obvious that the government does not produce, distribute nor retail any alcoholic drinks. Insinuating that any executive can direct the sale of any alcohol, whether poisonous or not is mischievous and misconceived and would amount to illegality.”
In March 2024, the Government announced a 25-point enforcement program for suppression of the manufacture, sale, distribution and consumption of illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the Country.
All the 29 active manufacturers and distillers of second generation alcohol were vetted by a multi-agency team and only two were found to be fully compliant.
The government further conducted a comprehensive re-vetting exercise involving 22 out of the twenty-seven 27 dealers that had failed the earlier test and proceeded to license 13 more alcohol manufacturers and distillers.
The vetting process was carried out by ten (10) agencies. They are the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), Anti- Counterfeit Agency (ACA), Public Health Department, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the Department of Weights and Measures.
“It is therefore in bad faith and disingenuous of Mr. Gachagua to turn around, after serving this country at the highest office, and lay such ludicrous claims on such a sensitive matter that deeply impacts families and lives.
“We welcome Mr. Rigathi Gachagua to make official complaints and present the evidence he may hold to our investigative or enforcement officers if his true intention is to save lives of Kenyans from the harm of illicit alcohol.”
The department is further urging all Kenyans during this festive season to work together to safeguard our communities and protect children from harmful substances and abuse through the following measures:
- Our leaders continually create awareness and commit to support communities
- Our communities act together to hold each other accountable and responsible
- Friends and family discourage Drinking and Driving
- Reducing availability and accessibility of alcohol in homes with underage children
- Reporting the selling of illicit or suspicious informally produces alcohol.
