Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed the challenges President William Ruto's government faced as a result of the increased cases of alcoholism in the country when the regime took over.
Gachagua remarked that when they took over the reins, almost all shops in trading centres across the country were licensed liquor stores. Other county governments were encouraging the sale of illicit liquor.
The deputy president, while speaking on Saturday, revealed that earlier, the government had announced plans to have the youth work on an undisclosed road but no one availed themselves at the site.
"We reached a point where we could not get young people to work. We had some work to murram some roads but some did not show up. Those who came left once they were paid," he stated.
He further added that some of these jobs were given out to women and young girls in the community.
The Second in Command emphasised that this motivated him to tackle the menace head adding that the benefits are evident in the Mt Kenya region.
He noted that the Kenya Kwanza government was committed to ending the sale and production of illicit trade in the country especially in the Central region.
Gachagua further condemned other leaders who were encouraging the illicit trade and drug abuse among the young generation.
"President William Ruto in his wisdom asked to lead the battle from the front and curb illicit brew and countering drug abuse. I must say we have done a lot of work," he added.
He revealed that a section of women had informed him that their husbands were back at home and were now sober to carry out day-to-day activities.
Since the crackdown on illicit liquor stores across the country, over 8,000 shops have been shut down and the liquor confiscated.
Additionally, the government led by the DP's spouse Pastor Dorcas is offering counselling and rehabilitation to all youths who were formally addicted.
