.Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed disbelief over an apparent lack of concern on the drug abuse menace at the coast by local leaders
.He questioned their silence on the matter citing a possible conflict of interest arising from possible financial support to the leaders’ campaigns
.Gachagua who has held similar meetings in Nyeri, Nakuru, Nandi, and Chuka reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving the drug and alcohol abuse menace
Gachagua who convened an anti-drug and alcohol abuse meeting in Mombasa on Monday said it was shocking that several local leaders snubbed the strategy forum.
He questioned their silence on the matter citing a possible conflict of interest arising from possible financial support to the leaders’ campaigns.
“Are they [leaders] scared of the drug barons or could it be some of these barons funded their campaigns?” Gachagua posed.
“Concern should not just be coming from the CS Interior of Regional Commissioner. Local leaders should have been at the forefront agitating for an intervention,” he said.
Gachagua who has held similar meetings in Nyeri, Nakuru, Nandi, and Chuka reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving the drug and alcohol abuse menace.
He cautioned those out to test the government’s resolve.
“We are determined to make our country safe from these killer drinks and make sure the manufacturers of these drinks will leave this country for good,” the DP asserted.
He however urged local leaders to support the police to ensure an effective campaign.
“Much as the police and the administration will deal with this problem, this is a problem affecting the people that you lead,” he observed.
Gachagua spoke even as he promised new measures to tackle drug abuse and illicit alcohol.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki who accompanied Gachagua to the meeting termed the menace of illicit liquor, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances a national security threat.
Kindiki said that the gravity of the situation, not only endangers public health but also has broader implications for the stability and security of the nation.
Kindiki maintained that the government considers manufacturers, transporters, distributors, and sellers of illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs as enemies of Kenya and participants in organised crime.
He said the perpetrators belonged to the same category as terrorists, bandits, and other perpetrators of complex criminal activities.
“We consider sellers, transporters, and manufacturers of illicit alcohol and enablers of this illicit trade as enemies of Kenya and participants in organised crime and hence place them in the same category with terrorists and bandits,” he said during an anti-drugs abuse conference at the Mombasa ASK Showground.
Warning against complacency, Kindiki asserted complacent security agents and administrators will face immediate dismissal and prosecution, ruling out transfers.
