Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has maintained that he will not yield in his fight against illicit brew even if his leadership position is put at stake.

The DP vowed to remain committed to weed out the sale of illicit brew, which he says has been eroding the social fabric of many societies. “We are almost losing an entire generation. Nobody will be allowed to sell poison in the name of alcohol to our young people,” he warned.

Deputy President spoke at the PCEA Gateway parish during the induction service of Rev David Chege. He said the fight against illicit brews was a government project which he had been appointed to spearhead.

He told the congregation he had received countless threats from beneficiaries of the illicit trade, but maintained that his devotion to protecting the Kenyan youth was more important than his political position.

“I was not born in the Deputy President position. I just recently got it all those other years I was living a normal life eating and drinking. It is not a must that I stay there forever,” he said.

He continued: “If I lose this position because of protesting against the sale of this poison I am ready.” Together with President William Ruto, the DP said the government will not relent until after the vice is eliminated.

Gachagua also stated that the he will confront the sale of illicit liquor and will only rest when the menace has been nipped in the bud.

“There is no pride in leading a drunken nation, people with broken families,” he stated.

“We want to lead productive, decent people and we are not fighting anyone. We just want to stop the sale of illicit brew.”

Raft of rules

Last week, the government announced far-reaching measures aimed at eradicating the sale and production of illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse.

Among a raft of rules, the government suspended all second-generation alcohol and alcoholic beverage distillers and manufacturers issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standards and likewise announced a 21-day window for the fresh vetting of all valid licenses.

During the same function, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja reiterated his commitment in reducing noise pollution in Nairobi estates.

“We will not allow night clubs in our estates. There is no way our children will be doing homework while night clubs are playing loud music in the neighbourhood”, Sakaja warned.

Sakaja also revealed that the ongoing removal of wines and spirits, and small bars around bus terminals is informed by the NTSA report that drunk driving is a major contributor in road accidents that are happening in the city.

Last week, county officials closed down 120 liquor stores around matatu termini following a crackdown ordered by Sakaja.

Operation which started over the weekend also saw the arrest of 25 bar owners in Starehe sub-county.

In a statement from the Office of the Governor, the operation team was grouped into six; Country Bus Station where 10 outlets were closed and four suspects were arrested for selling illicit brew and booked at Kamukunji Police Station. The directive came after receiving a report from the National Transport and Safety Authority on the fatalities on Nairobi roads.

County boss expressed concerns about the number of people dying on the roads due to alcohol abuse with reports that most of the drivers were working under the influence of alcohol.

Governor called on NTSA and Matatu Owners Association to work together with his administration to put an end to the menace.