Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s office is on the spot for expenditure amounting to Ksh203 million in activities related to his campaign fighting against drug abuse and reforms in the coffee sector.
In a report by the Budget and Appropriations Committee on the first Supplementary Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2024/2025, the committee noted that there were concerns over duplication of roles between the office and other government entities.
The committee expressed its reservations, observing that the Office of the Deputy President was performing the functions of other government organs such as the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“The Committee on Administration and Internal Security observed that the Office Deputy President undertook functions related to the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA),’ read the report in part.
In the fight against alcohol and drug abuse which the DP’s office has undertaken, the office was accused of duplication of roles amounting to Ksh20 million.
The DP's office was was also accused of duplication of roles for Ksh183 million towards coffee sector reforms.
“The allocation of duplicated activities included Ksh20 million towards Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse and Ksh183 million towards Coffee Sector Reforms Implementation Committee,” read the statement.
The committee particularly pointed out that there was a need for these activities to be funded from their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
At this point in time, it remains unclear what steps the government will take following the committee's observations.
Notably, the DP has been embroiled in controversy in the recent past over his fight against illicit brew.
In the most recent instance, he has clashed with Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi who was previously his close ally, who the second in command accused of sabotaging the fight against drug abuse and illicit liquour.
Wamumbi would in a quick rejoinder take to social media to dismiss the claims.
He called out the DP for allegedly making false allegations and urged him to tell Kenyans the truth about the actual reason they were at loggerheads.
