PREACHING WATER AND DRINKING WINE?

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on the Interior Ministry, accusing it of enabling the very menace it claims to be fighting—illicit alcohol.

Taking to his official X account on Thursday, July 31, Gachagua directly criticized Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, branding recent anti-alcohol campaigns as a smokescreen.

“CS Interior, you are wasting your time and treating Kenyans as fools,” Gachagua posted, accusing the Ministry’s current efforts of being purely cosmetic and ineffective.

He defended his own record while in office, claiming that concrete steps he took led to the dismantling of illicit alcohol networks and a revival of community health and productivity.

“In just one year, we got rid of poisonous brews and brought sobriety back to many households,” he asserted.

His remarks came just a day after the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) unveiled new policy proposals aimed at curbing alcohol abuse. Among the recommendations are banning influencer marketing for alcohol brands and restricting alcohol sales to licensed establishments only—with an exception of supermarkets.

Gachagua wasn’t convinced, however. He accused President William Ruto’s government of undoing the gains achieved during his tenure, blaming the current administration for allowing the resurgence of illegal alcohol manufacturing.

“Young people had turned a new leaf—they had started families and were becoming economically active,” he said. “Even the Kenya Revenue Authority was collecting more excise duty because people were drinking certified alcohol from licensed vendors.”

He also alleged that a community-based rehabilitation program that was active during his term—reportedly spearheaded by his spouse—was abandoned once the government cut its funding.

In his broadside, Gachagua claimed the government is more focused on optics than substance.

“What do you intend to do differently? Walk around issuing pressers and threatening Kenyans?” he asked. “William Ruto wants a nation of zombies so he can keep them subdued with handouts.”

The former DP also threw serious accusations at unnamed Cabinet Secretaries, alleging that some are involved in international drug trafficking.

“Before you go after junior staff, tell your boss to clean up his Cabinet. There are CSs who are globally known for dealing in hard drugs,” he alleged.

In a parting shot, Gachagua told Murkomen to drop the theatrics and simply enforce the laws already in place.

“Kenya doesn’t need another speech. We have enough laws—just implement them and stop playing with the lives of our people,” he said.