Kindiki declares ruthless war on Illicit alcohol, rallies United Mt Kenya in Nyeri, Meru

Speaking at Kiutine Market in Igembe Central, Meru County, Kindiki said illicit brews laced with harmful chemicals had become a serious threat to the health and future of young people in Mt Kenya and across the country.

"We have faced challenges, and the elders of Mount Kenya and other regions have raised concerns about illicit alcohol," Kindiki said.

"There are people who are adding poisonous chemicals to alcohol, which is damaging the health of our young people and our elderly citizens."

The DP pledged to personally lead the Government's crackdown on those profiting from the deadly trade.

"I will do everything within my power to lead the Government of Kenya's fight against those manufacturing and selling poisonous substances in the name of alcohol," he said.

He directed Officers Commanding Stations (OCSs), chiefs and county commissioners to intensify enforcement against illicit brews and alcohol containing harmful substances.

The crackdown pledge came alongside a strong call for unity, with Kindiki carrying the message he delivered in Nyeri to Mt Kenya East and insisting there was no room for political or regional divisions within the mountain.

"We are one nation, one community, one mountain and one GEMA community. We must move forward together as one community," he said.

Kindiki said elders from across the region had rejected attempts to create a political divide between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, adding that the unity call was not limited to one section of the mountain but was meant to eventually bring together communities across Kenya.

"I will follow the advice of our elders because I respect them. They are our parents and the custodians of our land," he said.

The DP said the elders had also asked him to reach out to Kenyans across political and regional lines, declaring that he harboured no grudges against any leader.

"From now on, the elders have advised me to unite all Kenyans. I have forgiven everyone who has insulted me... I have no conflict with any leader," he said.

On security, Kindiki announced that Kiutine and Kiengu police posts had been upgraded to full police stations, each to be headed by an OCS, as the Government moves to tighten security in an area that has grappled with livestock theft and other crimes.

"Cases of livestock theft and other forms of criminality have started to decline, and I want to thank all the teams that are here," he said.

He said officers had been deployed along the corridor used by livestock thieves to enter the region, steal animals and escape.

The Government has also deployed armoured vehicles to Igembe and restored the National Police Reservists (NPR) to full strength following recent losses.

Kindiki said operations were continuing in Isiolo and Samburu East against armed criminals accused of attacking civilians and security officers.

"We cannot allow criminals to take over any part of Kenya, which is a free and sovereign country," he said.

On development, the DP announced Ksh.1 billion for the upgrade of Meru General Hospital to Level Six status and Ksh.100 million to upgrade and equip Maua-Nyambene Hospital to Level Five.

He further said Ksh.2.3 billion had been set aside for electricity connectivity projects expected to link 17,000 new households across Meru County to the national grid.