Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reignited debate on the fight against drugs and substance abuse, claiming that significant progress made during his tenure was deliberately undermined.
In a strongly worded statement, Gachagua said the crackdown on illicit alcohol had achieved up to 70 per cent success, arguing that the availability of illegal brews had drastically reduced at the time. According to him, this led to a notable decline in consumption among young people, particularly in affected regions.
He claimed that the gains made during the anti-drug campaign were short-lived due to what he termed as interference and sabotage by individuals within government. Gachagua alleged that key figures were used to frustrate the progress, leading to a reversal of the achievements that had been made.
The former Deputy President further claimed that controversial appointments within government contributed to the resurgence of drug-related activities, alleging that individuals linked to drug trade were elevated to influential positions. He argued that such decisions weakened enforcement efforts and emboldened those involved in the illegal business.
Gachagua maintained that he had repeatedly raised concerns over the issue, warning that failure to sustain the crackdown would have serious consequences on the country’s youth. He said his attempts to push for continued action were ignored, prompting him to publicly express his frustrations during a church service in Nyandarua in July 2024.
According to him, the situation has since deteriorated, with illicit alcohol making a comeback in several parts of the country. He painted a grim picture of the current state, claiming that many young people have fallen back into addiction, with families and communities bearing the brunt of the crisis.
The remarks are likely to spark renewed discussion around the effectiveness of past anti-drug campaigns and the sustainability of government-led interventions. Concerns over illicit alcohol and substance abuse have remained a persistent challenge in Kenya, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where enforcement has often been inconsistent.
Gachagua’s statement also brings into focus the broader issue of accountability and coordination among agencies tasked with combating drug abuse. Stakeholders have in the past called for a more structured and sustained approach, including stricter enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and rehabilitation programmes.
While his claims have not been independently verified, they add to the ongoing national conversation on the need to protect young people from the dangers of substance abuse and ensure that gains made in the fight are not reversed.
