The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has condemned remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing the government of deliberately targeting citizens in the Mt. Kenya region through the distribution of illicit and counterfeit alcohol.
In a statement on Monday, December 23, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo dismissed the claims, labelling them as politically motivated and inflammatory.
"We take great exception that such grave national matters can be trivialized by one individual, on a church podium nonetheless, without empathy for the families that may be struggling with this crisis.
"In every corner of this country the government officials involved in the fight against illicit alcohol include chiefs and their assistants who are part of their communities and it’s inconceivable that they would preside over what Mr. Gachagua accuses them of," he stated.
Omollo emphasized that the government neither produces, distributes, nor retails alcohol and termed such allegations as mischievous and misconceived.
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"While it is clear for every citizen to see that this is a selfish politically motivated inflammatory statement, it is also obvious that the government does not produce, distribute nor retail any alcoholic drinks. Insinuating that any executive can direct the sale of any alcohol, whether poisonous or not is mischievous and misconceived and would amount to illegality," he added.
Omollo reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding citizens from harmful substances and invited Gachagua to present any evidence he might have to the relevant authorities.
"It is therefore in bad faith and disingenuous of Mr. Gachagua to turn around, after serving this country at the highest office, and lay such ludicrous claims on such a sensitive matter that deeply impacts families and lives.
"We welcome Mr. Rigathi Gachagua to make official complaints and present the evidence he may hold to our investigative or enforcement officers if his true intention is to save the lives of Kenyans from the harm of illicit alcohol," he further said.
Speaking during a church service in Naivasha on Sunday, December 22, Gachagua accused the government of undoing his efforts of fighting illicit alcohol in the Mt. Kenya region.
He claimed that President William Ruto had instructed Omollo to reopen non-compliant alcohol factories and exclusively sell counterfeit alcoholic drinks to the people of the Mt. Kenya region.
"The Interior Security PS was instructed by the President to reopen all those alcohol factories, and they were urged to sell the alcohol exclusively in Mount Kenya. It is not sold in Rift Valley or anywhere else. Yesterday, three people died in Bahati. Since they forced me out of office, the President has ordered all the illicit alcohol that kills people to be brought here to kill our young people," he claimed.
