Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused a section of government officials from the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government of obstructing the fight against illegal brew in Mount Kenya.

According to Gachagua, the Interior Ministry has allowed the reopening of bars in the region in an attempt to undermine his aim to stop alcoholism on Mount Kenya.

PHOTO | COURTESY Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

“I heard that our local MP has directed security officers in Karatina, purportedly on orders from above to re-open bars. An MP cannot instruct security officers, if security officers from this region are taking instructions from an MP, we shall discipline them,” Gachagua told congregants at Kiamariga PEFA Church in Mathira Constituency on Sunday.

Gachagua added that President William Ruto gave him the go-ahead to organize a multi-sectoral committee to stop illicit brew and the drug misuse epidemic in Kenya. One of the agreed-upon methods was closing illegal bars to reduce the sale of illicit brew.

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“I have never missed a single cabinet sitting, so there is no decision that has been made by the cabinet to stop war against illicit brew,” he said.

PHOTO | COURTESY Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

“Anybody stopping that war or undermining it is setting the President and the government against the people. If you people at interior (Ministry) think that you want to interfere with this successful programme so as to undermine the Deputy President, you are effectively undermining President Ruto and his administration,” Gachagua remarked.

“Mr.President, if you allow overzealous officers at Harambee house, with a political scheme, to interfere with this war against illicit brew, those officers will set you up against the people.” he added

Gachagua believes that the individuals at the Interior Ministry are sabotaging his efforts because they believe the scheme has increased his popularity in the Mt Kenya region.

 “You will be hurting Ruto and his government. The popularity or otherwise of our administration will depend on interference or non-interference with the war against illicit brews,” he added.