Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has admitted to previously abusing alcohol.
Speaking at a conference on ending alcoholism and drug abuse in the Rift Valley region on Monday, the deputy president said he has since given up alcohol after becoming a ‘born-again’ Christian.
“The President, [Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure] Kindiki, and the rest of us, none has a problem with alcohol. I must admit I used to drink a lot before I got saved and since I stopped drinking my things have been very good,” Gachagua said.
He added that his life has changed for the better after quitting drinking and even urged drinkers to give it a try, saying, “That is how I am deputy president. I invite those who drink to consider dropping it and maybe your things will get better.”
At the same time, the deputy president put law enforcement officers on notice, accusing them of aiding the menace by soliciting bribes and operating drinking establishments.
“We are very happy with police officers who are doing a very good job but we have a serious problem with a few of them who have a conflict of interest and have opened bars in the areas where they serve. We have a problem with a few officers who are collecting protection fees; police officers who are supposed to arrest drunkards but they are more drunk,” Gachagua said.
He warned rogue businesspeople who have been manufacturing illegal alcohol in filthy distilleries, bottling and selling it as legitimate brands that the government will not hesitate to punish them.
“None of us has a problem with alcohol, but we have a problem with poison in the name of alcohol,” Gachagua said.
According to the DP, the brewers have been bringing ethanol from neighbouring Tanzania.
