President William Ruto emphasized on Sunday that the trade in illicit brews and illegal drugs must be eradicated in the country. He stated that significant reforms have been implemented within the police service to prevent any officers from condoning the sale of illicit brews.
Ruto further underscored that these reforms will extend to officers responsible for monitoring roads to prevent the transportation of illegal drugs into the country.
“I want to agree with the Deputy President that illicit brews and illegal drugs cannot continue in our country. I have made changes in the police service to ensure no officer will allow illicit brew to be sold because of the businesses of a few people,” he said.
The President had attended a church service at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa in Ndaragua, Nyandarua county.
He called on the provincial administration officials to be on high alert even as the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs continues.
Ruto also urged parents to support the fight by talking to their children and advising them against drugs.
“The illegal business of selling our children poison and drugs must stop and I want to tell the provincial administration from the chief to the regional commissioner they must be on alert.
“This job cannot be done by government alone, we must all work together, and as parents, we must also talk to our children.”
The President emphasized that county governments must implement regulations to control the issuance of licenses to bars. He pointed out that it is unreasonable for small shopping centers to have more than five bars operating continuously.
Ruto’s comments were prompted by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s remarks during their joint appearance, cautioning against senior officials in the administration permitting the resurgence of illicit brews and drugs. Gachagua criticized this behavior as immoral and highlighted that these officials have been acting without the knowledge of the President and himself.
“We ask you not to allow officers in your government to allow the return of illicit brews and drugs to kill our children,” Gachagua said on Sunday.
“I’m a truthful man and I want to say today it is immoral and unacceptable that people can sit in government and decide to bring back poison to kill our children without the knowledge of the president, who cannot accept, and without my knowledge.”
The DP said the fight against illicit brews and drugs is one the best programs this administration has put in place.
He added that it is one program that has made Kenyans happy.
