Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called into question the effectiveness of the Kenyan government’s fight against drugs and alcohol abuse, accusing two Cabinet ministers of being deeply involved in the drug trade. Speaking during a church service at Ol Jorook in Nyandarua County, Gachagua expressed his concerns that top state officials are undermining efforts to protect the youth from the devastating impact of illicit substances.
Without naming the specific ministers, Gachagua claimed that President William Ruto’s Cabinet had been compromised by the presence of “drug barons” who continue to operate freely at the highest levels of government. His remarks came as he reflected on his tenure as Deputy President, during which he led efforts to combat the spread of illicit brews in central Kenya. He argued that the fight against drugs would remain futile as long as influential figures in the Cabinet are involved in trafficking activities.
“When I left the government, Ruto brought two drug barons into his Cabinet as Cabinet Secretaries. How do you expect the fight against drugs to be won? It cannot,” Gachagua said. He further emphasized that Kenya had become the “only country in the world” where drug barons sit in Cabinet, casting doubt on the government’s commitment to solving the drug crisis.
Gachagua also raised alarms about the alleged resurgence of illicit brews in the central Kenya region, which he described as a deliberate act since his departure from office. He argued that the government’s inaction in this area shows a lack of genuine interest in addressing the problem.
In a broader political statement, Gachagua urged the church to take a more vocal stance on governance issues, warning that Kenya’s future was in jeopardy. With Parliament seemingly under the control of the Executive, Gachagua called on religious leaders to act as the “only remaining hope” for the nation. “If not, Kenya is gone,” he concluded, signaling a dire outlook for the country’s leadership and governance.
