Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday 12 June 2023 issued a warning to national government officers and politicians receiving protection money from illicit brew, drugs and substance abuse cartels.
Speaking at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County during the third regional forum on the fight against alcohol, illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse, Gachagua noted that security officers were colluding with the criminals through bribes to offer protection, giving them ten days end the menace or go home.
“It has been agreed that no officer will go on transfer for allowing crime, illicit brew or drug abuse in his or her area. We will sort this mess with those who want to go on with us. Those who feel otherwise, we are giving you an opportunity to proceed to terminal leave pending retirement”, he said.
The DP assured the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) protection against intimidation from the drug and illicit brew cartels, adding that the government was ready to provide state counsels to defend the officers in the case that they are taken to court.
“This war has been declared. Do not be intimidated, you have our support. If you get into trouble in pursuit of your lawful duties, we will provide a state counsel to defend you”, he said.
Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Government Kithure Kindiki noted that the government was going to track down any political leader linked to illicit brews and drug abuse, saying his ministry has listed the sale of illicit alcohol and the abuse of drugs as one of the top five threats to national security in the country.
“We have tried in the past to deal with cartels who end up bribing government officers while in some cases government officials themselves have been part of the business. We are going to arrest and prosecute politician and leaders found guilty without exemption”, he said.
Among the deliberations made, the government is set to introduce reforms to allow NGAO be supported the National Police Service to reinstate their enforcement capacity.
Kenya Revenue Authority has been asked to recommend all measures to deal with ethanol and 2nd generation brews for inclusion in a bill set to be passed by the National Assembly.
Proposals to bring schools on board through enhancement of the dog section was also discussed, with the Inspector of Police asked to increase sniffer dogs at county level to assist in school inspections and sporadic checks.
The devolvement of the government chemist to regionals level was proposed to fast track court cases that require reports from the centre.
On behalf of Governors, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki noted that the county governments have plans in place for crackdown on all unlicensed outlets of manufacture, distribution and sale of illicit brews and drug substance.
According to Njuki, all illegal establishments were set for closure and those responsible taken to court.
The governors were asked to introduce a framework that would see county governments fund NACADA to build rehabilitation centres and facilitate advocacy.
According to NACADA reports taken in 2022 for eastern region, Embu and Isiolo counties reported over 10 deaths related to illicit brew and drug abuse with the regional prevalence of alcohol being 9.3%.
The regional prevalence of tobacco stands at 10.7%, khat 9.6% while that of cannabis sativa being 1.5%.
368,423 people in the region are affected by alcohol, 423,084 by tobacco, 380,777 by khat while 58,837 are affected by cannabis sativa.
32,728 litres of 2nd generation alcohol were seized in the region in 2022 while over 500ks of cannabis sativa were seized.
The forum included stakeholders from Tharaka Nithi, Embu. Meru, Isiolo, and Marsabit counties.
Leaders present included CS Health Susan Nakhumicha, CS Agriculture Mithika Linturi, CS Trade Moses Kuria and other elected leaders from the region.
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