Kindiki Vows to Take On Sellers of Harmful Alcohol in War Against Illicit Brews
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has promised an all-out war against sellers of destructive alcoholic drinks declaring that the battle must be won to safeguard the health and future of the nation.
He said he has taken the lead in the fight in a bid to get rid of the harmful substances being sold to people in the name of alcohol, adding that previous crackdowns had fallen short because of sabotage and interferences.
As a former Interior Cabinet Secretary who led successful operations against terrorists in Lamu and bandits in Northern Kenya leaving the regions enjoying lasting peace and normalcy, the DP said he has set his focus fully on wiping the menace of prohibited drinks and drugs out of the country.
“I’m taking this fight personally. I will provide leadership to all the agencies involved including all the security agencies, Kenya Revenue Authority, KeBS, NGAO and the members of the public who we want to play a role in it. This is a battle which we must succeed and we will fully involve wananchi this time around,” DP said.
Speaking on Thursday when he inspected development projects in Gatanga Constituency, Murang’a County, Prof. Kindiki said it is a total war against the menace involving respective state departments and agencies.
“I am announcing a total war against those selling harmful alcohol, drugs and substances destroying the lives of our people. This is a war we must win because we have no choice but to win. We fought and won against terrorists and bandits and we will be victors in this war as well, I promise you,” he insisted.
During the development visit, the Deputy President inspected the ongoing construction of Jogoo Kimakia-Kigio-Kirwara Road which has been allocated 867 million shillings and also checked on the progress of Kaguku-Ithanga ESP Market. He also engaged residents at Kigio Shopping Centre and Kaguku-Ithanga Centre where he updated them on other ongoing development projects in the tune of billions of shillings in the county.
The renewed fight, DP reiterated, will not spare anyone issuing a warning against any attempts by saboteurs who are only interested in protecting vested interests without caring about the lives of hundreds of youth exposed to harmful drinks.
“We will confront them head-on, man to man, head to head, face to face. It is us against them, and they must surrender. You cannot be killing our people and expect to go scot free,” he declared.
The Deputy President also told politicians to step aside and not interfere with the ongoing operations saying it is a full-blown battle by the government which is impartial and apolitical.
With the fight against illicit brews intensifying, Prof. Kindiki assured Murang’a residents that ongoing development projects are being accelerated by the government with more planned for commencement.
The Jogoo Kimakia-Kigio-Kirwara Road in Gatanga is among 1,285 kilometres of roads being done in the County at 56 billion shillings. Another ongoing road in the constituency is from Gatura-Ngere-Karangi allocated Sh415 million.
Other roads are also progressing in Kandara, Kigumo Mathioya, Kiharu, Maragua and Kangemaconstituencies in the devolved unit.
“Over the last four years, a lot of work has been going on in Murang’a County, particularly on roads. Roads are being constructed in many areas, including the Mau Mau Roads in all constituencies. We have the money to construct the roads until completion,” he assured.
The county has also benefitted from the expansive affordable housing programme and has received Sh27 billion for the construction of 27 modern markets and affordable housing projects and hostels.
In Gatanga Constituency, the Ndunyu Chege Market (Sh152 million), Gatunyu Market (Sh109 million) and Kaguku Market (Sh114 million) are underway.
Prof. Kindiki said the contractor for Kaguku Market will be changed after abandoning the project despite receiving funds for it.
“We must take legal action against that contractor. It is not possible you receive funds by taxpayers and you fail to do the work you have been awarded. We will make the contractor account for the funds already released,” he stated.
In the meantime, another contractor will be acquired to complete it for the traders in the town to benefit from it.
The Affordable housing project in Kakuzi consisting of 1,910 units costing Sh5.4 billion.
Others are in Makenji and Mitumbili which are also progressing.
The county has also benefitted from the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Programme with an additional Sh1 billion to connect 13,000 new households. Under the programme, Gatangahas been allocated Sh204 million, which will connect an additional 2,400 new households in the constituency.
