Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says the government won’t relent in its pursuit to curb the illicit brew menace in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, February 22, Gachagua revealed government plans to roll out multi-agency and multistakeholder measures to decisively deal with illicit brew, drugs and substance abuse in the country days after more than 20 people died after consuming illicit liquor in Kirinyaga.

The measures, Gachagua said, will be put in place in a week’s time.

“The government will not allow Merchants of Death to continue with the illegal business of illicit brew, drugs and other substances,” Gachagua stated.

The country’s second-in-command made the remarks after a consultative meeting with various state officials including Cabinet Secretaries Kithure Kindiki (Interior and National Administration), Kithure Kindiki (National Treasury), and Susan Nakhumicha (Health) and Attorney General Justin Muturi.

“In a week, we will announce Multi-agency and Multistakeholder measures the Government will take to decisively deal with this menace,” he added.

Others at the meeting held at the DP’s official residence in Karen were Principal Secretaries Raymond Omollo (Interior), Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards) and Chris Kiptoo (Treasury), National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Solicitor General, Shadrack Mose, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohamed, Secretary, Public Prosecutions Dorcas Oduor.

Also present at the engagement were Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome, Deputy Inspector-General of the Kenya Police Service Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General – Administration Police Service Noor Gabow, Acting Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Paul Ndemo, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga.

The meeting was also attended by National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Director Quality Assurance and Inspection, Geoffrey Muriira, among others.