A group of 23 lawmakers, comprising Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators, has urged the government to investigate claims of a resurgence in illicit alcohol in the Mt. Kenya region. This follows Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo’s dismissal of allegations made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who accused the government of tolerating the sale of harmful alcohol to suppress voter numbers in the area.
In a strongly worded statement, the lawmakers criticized PS Omollo for what they described as a failure to address the critical concerns raised by Gachagua during his recent address. Omollo had characterized Gachagua’s remarks as inflammatory and politically motivated, insisting that the government neither manufactures nor distributes alcohol and that substance abuse remains a national issue affecting all communities.
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However, the leaders dismissed Omollo’s response as insufficient and demanded clarity on several key issues. They questioned the effectiveness of anti-illicit alcohol campaigns during Gachagua’s tenure and expressed concerns about the apparent resurgence of these brews since his departure.
Key Questions Raised by the Lawmakers
The leaders posed several pointed questions to PS Omollo, including:
- Effectiveness of Oversight: Were anti-illicit brew measures implemented during Gachagua’s term successful, and why has there been a resurgence of the brews?
- Licensed Producers: Who are the 29 companies authorized to produce second-generation alcohol, and what vetting processes were followed?
- Unlicensed Producers: Can the government provide a list of 14 unlicensed companies and their products to protect consumers?
- Regional Licensing: Were 13 recently licensed companies permitted to operate exclusively in the Mt. Kenya region?
Defending Gachagua
The leaders defended Gachagua’s remarks, asserting his duty to highlight public welfare concerns. They accused PS Omollo of downplaying critical issues and misrepresenting Gachagua’s role, emphasizing that he remains the elected Deputy President pending the outcome of ongoing court cases.
Government Accountability
The lawmakers also took aim at President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of failing to act decisively against illicit alcohol. They pointed to several fatalities in counties across the Mt. Kenya region as evidence of the government’s inability to curb the production and sale of harmful brews.
Signed Statement
The statement was signed by prominent allies of Gachagua, including Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, and Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu. They urged PS Omollo to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations instead of dismissing them.
PS Omollo’s Response
Earlier, PS Omollo advised Gachagua to file an official complaint with law enforcement agencies and provide evidence to support his claims. He also called on parents to safeguard their children from harmful substances during the festive season.
Broader Implications
This debate has exposed growing tensions within the government regarding its approach to tackling illicit alcohol.
It also raises critical questions about accountability and the effectiveness of public health policies in addressing the issue.
