23 MPs, Senators Defend Gachagua After PS Omollo Downplays His Remarks
The leaders called out the PS for failing to address key issues raised by the former Deputy President in his Sunday address.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
23 leaders including Members of Parliament (MP) and Senators on Monday, December 23 challenged the government to look for facts over the re-emergence of illicit brew in the Mt Kenya region. This is in response to Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo’s dismissal of Rigathi Gachagua’s claims that President William Ruto is allowing the sale of poisonous alcohol to reduce the number of voters in the region.
In a statement shared by the former Deputy President, the leaders called out the PS for failing to address key issues raised by the former Deputy President in his Sunday address. This is after Omollo deemed the remarks as inflammatory and politically motivated.
The PS had stated that the government does not produce, distribute or retail any alcoholic drinks and the problem of substance misuse affects people from all walks of life, including parents and children. However, the leaders argued that Omollo did not directly address the issues at hand.
The leaders had expected PS Omollo to speak to whether the government efforts against the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brews had borne fruit when Gachagua was in office, to the point where most if not all of these illicit brews had disappeared from around the Mt Kenya region, and across the country.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo speaking at the opening session of the inaugural 2024 Annual High Court Human Rights Summit on December 10, 2024. /RAYMOND OMOLLO
They also wanted him to speak on whether the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brews has returned since he left office, across the country and especially within the Mt Kenya Region, as well as why this is the case.
"We also note that the PS spoke about companies licensed to produce 2nd generation alcohol and others not licensed. If the PS was being honest we expected him to; Provide details of all the 29 companies dealing with 2nd generation alcohol, where and when they were vetted, and by which specific officers in the institutions he has named," the statement read in part.
They also expected the PS to provide the names of the 15 companies that have been vetted and licensed to sell this 2nd generation alcohol; where they are located; what their product brands and authorized packaging are as sold to consumers; and where they are distributing their products.
The PS was tasked with specifically confirming whether the 13 companies he recently licensed were meant to sell exclusively in the Mt Kenya Region, and if it is true he vetted these entirely by himself.
"Provide the names of the 14 companies that have NOT been licensed to sell this 2nd generation alcohol; where they are located; and their brands, so that Kenyans avoid them, and report them should they come across them in the marketplace," the statement continued.
The lawmakers also faulted the PS for mischievously trying to insinuate that the 2nd Deputy President was being irresponsible by raising the matter and reminded him "that as far as millions of ordinary Kenyans are concerned HE Rigathi Gachagua is the elected Deputy President as there has not been another election to elect his replacement, and the process by which he was removed from office is contested in the Kenyan Courts of Law."
By their remarks, Gachagua still bore a responsibility to speak out when the government he campaigned for and got elected under, allows the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit alcohol to the extent of Kenyans losing their lives.
"In fact, we believe the PS was being dishonest in only acknowledging deaths in Nakuru County because there have been deaths everywhere, especially in the Mt Kenya Region. As regards the PS asking the 2nd Deputy President for evidence of his statements, one just needs to walk around any shopping centre in the Mt Kenya region, to get whatever evidence is required," they urged the PS to do some extra homework.
"In conclusion, we wish to place the accusation of irresponsibility where it lies. This government, under the direction of President William Ruto, is the one being irresponsible."
The statement was signed by several well-known Gachagua allies, including Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, and Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu.
PS Omollo in his statement called on the former DP to file an official complaint and present the evidence he may hold to investigative or enforcement officers and urged Kenyans particularly parents to protect their children from harmful substances, especially during this festive season.
