Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has given an ultimatum to the Embu Police Commander to fight against the rampant rise of illicit brews within the county.
Gachagua was responding to the county leaders concerns, citing frustrations from police who they said are collaborating with the illicit brewers.
The DP lectured the county commander and said he expects an update soon over the situation, in regards to the fight against the third generation alcohol and other illegal substances.
"I said again and I'll repeat, there are two options within our locations. Our chiefs must decide who stays, it's either them or the brews. Obvious the brews can't decide since they don't have brains," he said.
The residents here have said the chiefs are doing their job but police are frustrating them. I want the police to act immediately and give a report on the progress soon," he said.
Gachagua further said he wants those defying the order to be arrested and arraigned, calling for an end to what he termed as hide and seek games played at the police stations.
"Those brewers and criminals dealing with these substances should be arrested and taken to court, not these games of being arrested and released at the police stations," he said.
Further, the DP condemned those criticising President William Ruto over oversees travels. He said he will soon give a full report communicating the benefits to the country.
He said the government is doing everything possible to steer the country forward.
"I know there are several people criticising the President's trips to other countries, but it's an ultimate step to regain the economy we found on its knees," he said.
Gachagua was speaking during a church service at Kianjokoma St Peters Primary School grounds, hosted by the full gospel church. The congregants later held a church construction funds drive.
Earlier, the DP attended mass at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Dallas, Embu town.
The DP was joined by leaders from Embu led by Governor Cecily Mbarire, Senator Alexander Mundigi, MPs Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Muchangi Karemba (Runyenjes), Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South) and former Mbeere South MP Geoffrey Kingangi.
Other leaders present included Johana Nge'eno (Emurua Dikirr) Nimrod Mbai(Kitui East), Beatrice Kemei (Woman Rep Kericho), James Gakuya (Embakasi North) Anne Wamuratha (Woman Rep Kiambu) among other Embu county leaders.
Mbarire urged the government through the deputy president to accelerate the fight against third generation alcohol.
She said the fight is being hampered by rogue police officers within the county.
"Our fight against the third generation alcohol has been in vain due to police officers who are cooperating with the criminals. Kindly do something to help win this fight, and ensure we do away with the perpetrators," Mbarire said.
She further said her government will not award any license to bars within villages, citing them as the source of the illicit and other illegal substances.
Mbarire said the fight against the illicit brews has been ongoing for some time now, and there's a remarkable reduction.
"We have been fighting against these illegal alcohol until the main brewers fled to other regions, but some are still sneaking into the county. We urge the government to assist in ensuring we win this fight," Mbarire added.
MP Karemba said cases of illicit brews and bhang consumption in his constituency are on the rise, He urged DP to come up with proper strategies to curb the vice.
"Our people are succumbing to brews and bhang, kindly operationalise the structure to fight the menace," Karemba said.
Embu Woman Representative Njoki Njeru, also blamed the police for hampering the fight. She asked them to stop giving affordable bonds.
"H.E the Deputy president the problem is not our local administration but our police stations who are letting go the arrested criminals, and giving cheap bonds thus resuming back to their business," she added.