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Alcoholism: State mulls at building rehabs in all counties

Gachagua called for cooperation between police investigators and prosecution to end the menace

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by JAMES MBAKA

News27 April 2023 - 11:27
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In Summary


  • Gachagua said the national government is already in talks with county bosses over building of the rehab centres.
  • Rigathi further announced that after Mt Kenya, the war against alcoholism and drug abuse will head to the South and North Rift, Mombasa and then Western.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking during a consultative meeting on alcoholism in the country at Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete on April 27.

The government is considering building rehab centres in all counties in the war against alcoholism and drugs and substance abuse.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday said the government has also planned a consultative with counties to deliberate on laws that need to be formulated to fight the vice.

"We are in talks with county assemblies and they have assured us of their support. We want laws in place by June 30 this year to deal with the menace in the regions," he stated.

Gachagua said the national government is already in talks with county bosses over the building of the rehab centres.

"We are talking with governors. We want them to identify addicts with the help of community health workers and give them NHIF cover," he said.

"It costs between Sh50,000 to Sh120,000 to get rehabilitation services for a minimum of three months. It's a very expensive affair," he added.

The DP spoke during a consultative meeting on alcoholism in the country at Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete.

The meeting brought together officials from Office of the Director of Prosecution, Kenya Revenue Authority, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards and National Campaign Against Drug Abuse.

Rigathi further announced that after Mt Kenya, the war against alcoholism and drug abuse will head to the South and North Rift, Mombasa, and then Western.

"The fight started in Mt Kenya but not because I'm from there. It is because statistics show prevalence is very high there," he stated.

"There are no people you can employ in Central. Women and young girls are the people working in construction sites," he added.

The DP called for cooperation between the police investigators and prosecution to end the menace.

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