Former deputy president and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) party leader Rigathi Gachagua has issued a strong condemnation of government actions, which he says have reversed progress in the fight against drugs and illicit alcohol, putting Kenya’s youth at serious risk.

Taking it to his social media handles on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Gachagua has said that in his tenure as the deputy president before his impeachment, the campaign against substance abuse had been 70% effective, and a good number of youths had abstained from illicit alcohol.

“The fight against drugs and substance abuse was 70% won under my stewardship. Our young men stopped taking illicit alcohol as it was not available. You were angry that an entire generation had been saved,” Rigathi stated.

The DCP Party leader and the presidential hopeful have identified those he claims had been employed to thwart anti-drug campaigns, including the current deputy president, Kithure Kindiki, and the interior ministry’s Raymond Omollo. He warned that his constant appeals to resume the fight bore no fruit, saying that Kenya was now a recognised international drug transit and destination.

“You used Mr Soprano and Raymond Omollo to frustrate the success. Further, you appointed two known drug barons to your cabinet. Kenya is now a known international drug transit and destination. I pleaded with you several times not to sabotage my efforts and allow me to save lives and the next generation. All this fell on deaf ears,” he added.

Gachagua recalls his statement as deputy president

Gachagua complained that he recalled how he had to call out President Ruto while still serving as his deputy in 2024 and had to bring up the matter in the open at a church function.

“Fed up with your actions, I had no choice but to tell you off publicly in Nyandarua at Ndogino AIPCA Church on Sunday, July 14, 2024. Today, because of your inhuman sabotage, killer drinks are back like never before. Our young men are dying every day in thousands, while others have become zombies. Families have been destroyed, and there are burials every day, everywhere. God will punish you,” Rigathi added.

The remarks by the former deputy president have escalated the need to have immediate government intervention to address the escalation of substance abuse, as it is a menace to the health and social stability of people in Kenya.