Gachagua Claims Ruto Revived Illicit Alcohol To Reduce Votes In Mt Kenya

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of allowing the sale of poisonous alcohol in Mt Kenya to reduce the number of voters in the region.

Speaking during a church service in Naivasha, Nakuru County on Sunday, December 22, Gachagua reminisced about his victory against alcohol and drug abuse in the region while he was Deputy President, something he claimed Ruto was reversing.

“The Interior Security PS was instructed by the President to reopen all those alcohol factories, and they were urged to sell the alcohol exclusively in Mount Kenya. It is not sold in Rift Valley or anywhere else. Yesterday, three people died in Bahati,” he claimed.

“Since I was impeached, Ruto directed that all poisonous alcohol be sold in Mt. Kenya to kill our youth. The chiefs and police have been told to allow people to drink and die to reduce the number of voters in this region."

Gachagua also revealed that he warned President Ruto against reopening the companies while he was in office, only for his pleas to fall on deaf ears.

He claimed that the latest move was a deliberate attempt by the President to reduce the voter population in the Mountain region.

“Police and chiefs have been instructed to allow people to continue drinking the deadly alcohol, so the number of registered voters decreases,” he claimed.

“It is immoral; it is unacceptable to target a community for destruction and extinction through the sale of poison to them. It is entirely possible to end the war on alcoholism because I have already achieved it.”

In his fiery speech, the former Deputy President urged the President to visit the Mountain instead of waiting for tempers to calm, and to address the questions they had.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health issued a statement regarding illicit alcohol that killed three people in Nakuru County. Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, while highlighting the dangers of such alcohol, stated “MoH is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of three lives in Nakuru County following the consumption of illicit alcohol."

PS Muthoni stated that the incident serves as a stark reminder of the grave dangers associated with consuming unregulated and unlicensed alcoholic beverages.

Furthermore, Muriuki stated that illicit alcohol often contains harmful substances such as methanol, which can be fatal, adding that consuming these substances can lead to serious health consequences, including blindness, organ damage, and even death.

The Ministry has urged the public to consume only alcohol that is legally registered and licensed by government agencies. According to Muriuki, this will ensure that the alcohol has undergone proper quality control and meets safety standards.

“Avoid purchasing alcohol from unknown or untrustworthy sources. Be wary of suspiciously cheap or counterfeit products,” Muriuki urged.  Additionally, MoH has advised Kenyans to practice responsible alcohol consumption such as avoiding excessive drinking, especially during the festive season.