Gov't slams Gachagua over allegations of state involvement in illicit alcohol

The government, through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, has called out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he made alleging that the state is deliberately targeting residents of the Mt. Kenya region with the distribution of illicit and counterfeit alcohol.

Gachagua made the remarks during a church service in Naivasha on Sunday, claiming that the resurgence of illicit alcohol in the Mt. Kenya region seems to be part of a deliberate plan by the government to reduce the region's rich voter basket.

In a rejoinder on Monday, Interior PS Raymond Omollo criticized Gachagua, stating that serious national matters, like the problem of drugs and substance abuse, should not be trivialized, especially from a church podium.

"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," said Omollo.  

"In every corner of this country the government officials involved in the fight against illicit alcohol include chiefs and their assistants who are part of their communities and it’s inconceivable that they would preside over what Mr. Gachagua accuses them of."

Further, Omollo emphasised that the government does not produce, distribute nor retail alcoholic beverages, dismissing Gachagua’s allegations as politically motivated and misleading.

"While it is clear for every citizen to see that this is a selfish politically motivated inflammatory statement, it is also obvious that the government does not produce, distribute nor retail any alcoholic drinks," said Omollo.

"Insinuating that any executive can direct the sale of any alcohol, whether poisonous or not is mischievous and misconceived and would amount to illegality."

Additionally, PS Omollo highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to combat illicit alcohol, highlighting that in March 2024, the state launched a comprehensive 25-point enforcement program aimed at curbing the manufacture, sale, distribution, and consumption of illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs.

"All the 29 active manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol were vetted by a multi-agency team and only two were found to be fully compliant," said Omollo.  

"The government further conducted a comprehensive re-vetting exercise involving 22 out of the 27 dealers that had failed the earlier test and proceeded to license 13 more alcohol manufacturers and distillers. The vetting process was carried out by 10 agencies including NACADA, KEBS and the Public Health Department among others."

The Interior PS also criticized Gachagua for making the allegations after serving the country in the highest office, suggesting that the former Deputy President was acting in bad faith

"It is therefore in bad faith and disingenuous of Mr. Gachagua to turn around, after serving this country at the highest office, and lay such ludicrous claims on such a sensitive matter that deeply impacts families and lives," he said.  

"We welcome Mr. Rigathi Gachagua to make official complaints and present the evidence he may hold to our investigative or enforcement officers if his true intention is to save lives of Kenyans from the harm of illicit alcohol."

Omollo likewise urged all Kenyans during this festive season to work together to safeguard their communities and protect  children from harmful substances and abuse.