Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua escalated his war on drugs and substance abuse by submitting names of notorious traffickers to National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) for punitive action.
While speaking at the Kenya Urban Forum in Naivasha on Friday, June 16, Gachagua asked Nakuru's County Commissioner to launch a crackdown and apprehended the traffickers listed.
"I have come with a list of those making the illicit brew and selling bhang. I will hand it to you. I have tried to help you since I have intel on the ground," the DP stated.
"Commissioner, I have done my part to deal with those people, and let us save our young men," he added.
According to the DP, a friend who is also part of a multi-agency team coordinating the nationwide crackdown to save the youth from the menace, tipped him off.
In response to Gachagua's directive, the commissioner promised to deal with the suspects within a week.
The second in command argued that illicit brew had rendered the youth jobless as some spent nights in suspicious joints drunk and intoxicated.
"We want these young men to be the masons, plumbers but some are sleeping in the streets after consuming the alcohol and bhang," Gachagua lamented.
Gachagua also reiterated President William Ruto's promise to offer affordable houses and create jobs for the youth through the program. The project, he stated, will run concurrently with the crackdown on drugs and substance abuse.
"With our local and international partners who have been gracious enough to support our affordable housing program, we will not relent in our push to dignify our people by providing affordable houses, clean water, and better sanitation."
"This is a commitment from the highest level of government because this is the time to dignify our people," Gachagua stated.
He explained that the crackdown would prepare the youth to take up job opportunities in the Affordable Housing project.
Gachagua was accompanied to the forum by Nakuru governor, Susan Kihika, Land Cabinet Secretary Zachary Njeru, Housing Principal Secretary (PS) Charles Hinga, and other leaders.
