Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now says that he will host a one-day conference in the central Kenya region to discuss the alcohol and drug abuse menace that has destroyed the lives of youths in the region.
Speaking at PCEA Ngorano Centre Church in Ruguru Ward, Mathira, Gachagua said the meeting will involve all leaders from the larger Central Kenya region.
The DP said as the central region leaders, they cannot sit and watch an entire generation being wiped out by the alcohol and drug abuse menace.
“The conference will come up with radical proposals on how to deal with the alcohol menace and abuse of drugs in this region. It will have far-reaching implications."
“The president is very concerned and he has asked me to convene that meeting so that we can give him recommendations,” Gachagua said.
He noted that Friday, April 14 is the day the conference will take place.
Gachagua called on the region’s leaders to help them in fighting this menace.
“We have called the entire administrative sector from the Assistant Commissioner all the way to the regional commissioner. The police command from Officers commanding police station all the way to the regional police commander.
"We have called all Members of parliament, all senators, women reps, and governors. We have called Nacada, Kebs and KRA. We have also called leaders in government from central Kenya region to have a one-day conference to come up with radical proposals on how to deal with the alcohol menace and abuse of drugs in this region,” he said.
It was no longer tenable for leaders to look away as alcohol and illicit drugs ravaged the region, the DP affirmed, as he promised thorough measures to rescue the region from destruction.
The Deputy President said relevant leaders from the region who will miss the conference will have to be answerable to the people.
“It will be unforgivable if we just sit back and watch as an entire generation is being wiped out. Friday will be a defining day for the future of this region,” he added.
The Deputy President is of the view that the illicit brew dealers targeted young people between 12 and 30 with the intention of bringing down a whole community.
He said a former powerful Principal Secretary from the region was behind the influx of the illicit brew while intimidating security officers and their administration counterparts.
The region has already lost young people at the expense of a few greedy people who were using their positions in the previous administration to enrich themselves through the sales and distribution of the illicit brews, Gachagua said.
The Deputy President said security officers will be allowed to participate freely.
“If we don’t intervene on Friday, in 10 years, the generation will be wiped out. I will take the bull by the horns. I am fearless in such matters. We cannot let 10 people become filthy rich at the expense of our young people,” he said.
His sentiments were supported by his Spouse, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, who said she looked forward to the day when the region will be free from alcoholism.
“What will make me happy is to see alcoholism and drug abuse being phased out in the region,” Pastor Dorcas, who has initiated a campaign to rescue the boychild, said.
