The Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on the Judiciary to back the national and county governments in the war against illicit brew.
Speaking yesterday while attending the requiem mass for the 17 people who lost lives after consuming illicit brew in Kangai, Kirinyaga county , deputy president said the lenient penalties being given to those taken to court is not aiding the fight against illicit brew and has presented a challenge in dealing with the menace.
“My heart aches, my heart bleeds in shame as we bury 17 people from consuming poison that was still being sold by our people.” Gachagua noted.
The DP said it is imperative for the courts to work with government to formulate binding and strict laws to guard against manufacturing, supply and consumption of illicit brew.
“The weakest link in our course for this war is the courts of law. The second link is our administration. We feel very low as a nation. We kindly ask Lady Chief Justice Marth Koome not to allow more deaths and take action for those merchants of death who are arrested and later released by the courts.” He added.
The DP issued a stern warning to administrators saying the government will not issue any transfers for those who illicit brew is found in their locality saying the only verdict is to end their job.
“There will be no transfer of any officer found culpable. We will not transfer a problem. If you mess with work, you go home (Ukiharibu kazi enda nyumbani). It is not a laughing matter anymore.”
“Where was the area chief when this problem was happening? What is the area chief saying now with all this shame? Why call yourself a senior chief when you cannot manage a locality. The chief of Kangai will be extradited with immediate effect.” He warned.
“To the new administrators in this area, please restore sanity. It will not be business as usual. Heads must roll. We must have a level playing ground. When you are given a responsibility to maintain order and you don’t, you have no business in that job anymore.”
The Deputy President reiterated that he will stop at nothing until the menace is dealt with.
“All the officers have been recalled and are facing disciplinary action some have even been prosecuted. Officers in the two police station have all been replaced. If it will mean to extradite all chiefs and assistant chiefs and employ new chiefs so that the war on alcohol can be won, so be it. We will not work normally anymore.” He added.
Gachagua was accompanied by his Spouse pastor Dorcas Rigathi, Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru among other leaders from both the national and county government who threw their back behind the deputy President’s quest to make illicit brew a story of the past.
“The laws that are supposed to protect our people and the people whom we have employed with our own taxes are the same people who sit to entertain themselves with corruption and kill our people.” Dorcas said.
“I am personally making a decision to withdraw all licenses for bars in Kirinyaga pending vetting in Kirinyaga county.” Waiguru said.
