In a multi-sectoral meeting to discuss the alcoholism menace in Nyeri County on April 14, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki admitted that his ministry, and the country as a whole, faced three main threats.
In his speech, Kindiki confirmed that the three threats included terrorism, cattle rustling as well as alcohol and substance abuse, in that order.
“For us at the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, we have identified what we consider the greatest threats to our country’s future.
“Among the three national security threats; it’s number one terrorism … the second threat is the threat of cattle rustling that affects approximately nine counties … the third threat is the trade, use, and abuse of illicit alcohol as well as psychotropic substances and drugs,” noted the CS.
The meeting was brought together elected leaders, high-ranking police officers, and national administration officers from the Mt. Kenya region and headed by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The region has borne the brunt of alcohol and substance abuse for decades.
Douglas Kanja, the newly appointed deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service who was in attendance reiterated the threats noting that he has dealt with the first two personally in his career.
Previously, he was the General Service Unit commandant. He listed his experience during the Dusit D2 terrorist attack in 2019 and ‘Operation Komesha Uhalifu North Rift’ as a good background to deal with the alcohol abuse menace.
He added that in his new role as the Deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service, he would be dealing with alcohol and substance abuse.
Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru, on the other hand, noted that the key performance indicator for the government in the fight against alcoholism should be the fact that no one is caught up in the vice. She also criticised the authority's tendency to parade individuals caught abusing alcohol.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, on his part, pointed an accusatory finger at immigrants from West African countries who sell drugs in the Mt. Kenya region, especially, in Kiambu County.
Gachagua's fight against the vice received President William Ruto's backing who, on January 19, 2023, reiterated that the government is keen on destroying illicit alcohol and drug networks.
“National and County Governments must work together to confront this [serious] problem,” urged the President.
