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DP Gachagua vows firm action against illicit brew trade

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua chairs a consultative meeting with key Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General aimed at combating illicit brew trade. (Photo: DPPS)

By Yunis Dekow | 22 Feb 2024

The forthcoming measures aim to address the issue comprehensively and involve various sectors for a holistic approach.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to combat the sale of illicit brew and other harmful elements.

Following a consultative meeting with key Cabinet Secretaries and the Attorney General, Gachagua emphasized that those involved in these criminal activities would not be tolerated.

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"The government is determined to put an end to the illegal activities of those engaged in the trade of illicit brew, drugs, and other harmful substances," he said.

During the meeting, Cabinet Secretaries Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Prof Njuguna Ndungu (Treasury), Susan Nakhumicha (Health), and Attorney General Justin Muturi joined Deputy President Gachagua in discussing robust measures to contain this menace in the country on Thursday at his official residence.

"Within a week, the government will announce multi-agency and multi-stakeholder measures to decisively deal with this menace," Gachagua said.

The forthcoming measures aim to address the issue comprehensively and involve various sectors for a holistic approach.

Acknowledging the gravity of the substance abuse problem, Gachagua stressed the need for urgent and collaborative action.

Officials have proposed plans to implement proactive strategies to tackle the root causes of substance abuse and its associated criminal activities.

A multi-agency team has been mobilized to comprehensively address the issue, involving law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and community leaders.

Gachagua affirmed the government's commitment to creating a safer and healthier environment for all citizens by dismantling the illegal operations.

Data from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) on the national survey on the "Status of Drugs and Substance Use (DSU) in Kenya, 2022" reveals alarming trends. The average age category for the initiation of various substances such as tobacco, alcohol, khat, cannabis, prescription drugs, cocaine, and heroin was found to be between 16 and 20 years.

However, the minimum age of initiation for tobacco was recorded at 6 years, alcohol at 7 years, cannabis at 8 years, khat at 9 years, prescription drugs at 8 years, heroin at 18 years, and cocaine at 20 years.

The survey indicates that one in every 20 Kenyans aged 15–65 years (1,357,040) is addicted to alcohol, one in every 30 (887,627) is addicted to tobacco, one in every 125 (227,744) is addicted to khat, and one in every 111 (234,855) is addicted to cannabis.