‘I am proud to see our leaders speaking out on this issue’ – Gachagua praises allies for slamming PS Omollo over Mt Kenya illicit brews

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has praised his allies for slamming the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo over a statement he issued dismissing the former DP’s claims on illicit alcohol in Mt. Kenya region.

Taking to his official X account on Monday, December 23, 2024, Gachagua shared a statement that had been issued jointly by 23 lawmakers allied to him, faulting PS Omollo over his response to Gachagua.

Gachangua stated that he was proud to see the leaders speak out on the issue of illicit alcohol.

“I am proud to see our leaders speaking out on this issue and calling out those responsible for the protection of the lives of Kenyans, to do the right thing. We must stop these killer brews from taking any more innocent lives,” Gachagua stated.

I am proud to see our leaders speaking out on this issue and calling out those responsible for the protection of the lives of Kenyans, to do the right thing.

We must stop these killer brews from taking any more innocent lives. pic.twitter.com/PmeLUFbm2U

— Rigathi Gachagua (@rigathi) December 23, 2024

Gachagua’s allies’ statement

Gachagua’s allies in the statement have faulted PS Omollo for what they have termed as failure to the specific issues raised by Gachagua.

They argue that they had expected the PS speak to whether the government efforts against the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brews had borne fruit when Gachagua was in office.

They also say they expected him to speak to whether the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brews has returned since Gachagua left office

“Today the Principal Secretary Internal Security and National Administration responded via a Press Statement. However at no point of that statement did he respond to the specific issues raised by HE Rigathi Gachagua. For Example we expected him to speak to;

“Whether the government efforts against the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brews had borne fruit when HE Rigathi Gachagua was in office, to the point where most if not all of these illicit brews had disappeared from around the Mt Kenya region, and across the country.Whether the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brews has returned since he left office, across the country and especially within the Mt Kenya Region, and why this is the case,” the joint statement read in part.

They further slammed PS Omollo for failing to provide details of all the 29 companies dealing with 2nd generation alcohol, where and when they were vetted.

“We also note that the PS spoke about companies licensed to produce 2nd generation alcohol and others not licensed. If the PS was being honest we expected him to; Provide details of all the 29 companies dealing with 2nd generation alcohol, where and when they were vetted, and by which specific officers in the institutions he has named.

“Provide the names of the 15 companies that have been vetted and licensed to sell this 2nd generation alcohol; where they are located; what their product brands and authorized packaging is as sold to consumers; and where they are distributing their products. The PS should specifically confirm whether the 13 companies he recently licensed were meant to sell exclusively in the Mt Kenya Region, and if it is true he vetted these ones entirely by himself,” they stated.

“Provide the names of the 14 companies that have NOT been licensed to sell this 2nd generation alcohol; where they are located; and their brands, so that Kenyans avoid them, and report them should they come across them in the market place.”

Among the lawmakers that signed the statement are Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Staerehe MP Amos Mwago, and Kiambu senator Karungo wa Thang’wa.

Others are John Kaguchia, Edward Muriu, Samuel Gachobe, Wanjiku Muhia, Senator John Methu, Senator James Murango, Teresia Wanjiru, Samuel Parashina, Gacheri Maina, Jayne Kihara, George Koimburi, Benjamin Mejja Dong Gathiru, Joseph Munyoro, Onesmus Ngogoyo, Mary Wamaua, Senator Joe Nyutu, Senator Senki Lenku Ole Kanar and John G Mukunji.

PS Omollo’s response

PS Omollo in a statement issued on Monday, December 23, had termed Gachagua’s sentiments as selfish and politically motivated, he added that the government does not produce, distribute or retail any alcoholic drinks.

“The State Department of Internal Security and National Administration wishes to condemn the reckless statements made by the impeached former Deputy President Mr. Rigathi Gachagua in a church service he attended yesterday accusing the government of deliberately targeting citizens of Kenya in Mt. Kenya region with illicit and counterfeit alcohol distribution,” Omollo said.

“Only this weekend we had the unfortunate tragic loss of lives of three Kenyans in Nakuru following the consumption of illicit alcohol and their families are in mourning. We take great exception that such grave national matters can be trivialized by one individual, on a church podium nonetheless, without empathy for the families that may be struggling with this crisis.”

Gachagua’s claims

Speaking during a church service in Naivasha on Sunday, December 22, Gachagua claimed that the government had undone his efforts to do away with illicit brew in Mt Kenya.

According to Gachagua, the PS was instructed by the president to reopen all alcohol factories manufacturing substandard alcohol and urged them to sell the alcohol exclusively in the Mount Kenya region.

“The Interior Security PS was instructed by the President to reopen all those alcohol factories, and they were urged to sell the alcohol exclusively in Mount Kenya. It is not sold in Rift Valley or anywhere else. Yesterday, three people died in Bahati,” Gachagua claimed.