Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has appealed to the Church and other religious leaders to back the Government's efforts to eradicate illicit brews and abuse of drugs.
Speaking in Nakuru on Saturday during the ordination and installation of the Catholic Diocese's new Bishop Cleophas Oseso Tuka, Gachagua said consumption of illicit alcohol had become a socio-economic problem, and a threat to the lives of the youth and requires support from everyone.
"We are at the risk of losing an entire generation to drugs and alcoholism. The ongoing crackdown on illicit brews, second-generation alcohol and drugs in Central Kenya will be rolled out in other parts of the country. I urge the church leaders to help us in mentorship and talking to the youth," the Deputy President said.
He added that the ongoing crackdown at the five counties of the former Central Province (Kiambu, Murang'a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Nyandarua) was bearing fruit.
While saying that the crackdown will soon be rolled out in Nakuru, the Deputy President said Government's intention is to eradicate harmful brews from the market.
Alongside the ongoing crackdown in the five counties of Central Kenya, he has proposed various radical steps, such as reducing the number of bars and tough penalties for persons selling illegal brews, to reduce alcohol abuse.
On the other hand, the Deputy President also said rogue religious leaders will be dealt with individually.
While referring to Kilifi County’s Shakahola mass killings and cult leader Paul Mackenzie, Gachagua said that the government will not allow criminals and extremists to hide behind religion.
"What happened in Kilifi is a criminal act and it is unacceptable. The government will not allow anyone to hide behind the pulpit to drive criminal activities. Criminals will be dealt with individually according to the penal code," said the Deputy President.
He described Shakahola's acts as criminal and cautioned against the blanket condemnation of the church and clergy.
"Do not condemn all churches and pastors. Just like society, the Church is no exception because it is part of the society where you find one or two rogue persons with wayward characters. The percentage of rogue pastors is small," said the Deputy President.
He was representing President William Ruto, who is out of the country, at the ordination ceremony.
Bishop Tuka, 56, takes over the leadership of the Nakuru Diocese from Most Reverend Maurice Muhatia, who was moved to the Archdiocese of Kisumu in 2022.
He was appointed as the fourth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru by Pope Francis on February 15, 2023.
Leaders accompanying the Deputy President included Cabinet Secretary for Lands Zachary Njeru, Lands Chief Administrative Secretary Kimani Ngunjiri, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja, Nakuru Woman Rep Liza Chelule and MPs Jayne Kihara (Naivasha) and David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), among others.