Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now says that the sale of illicit alcohol and drugs must be stopped by all means.
Speaking during the burial of 17 people who died after consuming illicit brew in Kangai village, Kirinyaga county, the DP said that it cannot be business as usual.
"We have lost fathers, mothers, grandmothers, sons and daughters in the name of business. It is a very painful moment, especially for families who have lost loved ones. This cannot continue," he said.
"It cannot be business as usual. These senseless deaths in the entire country must stop."
He said that the Kenya Kwanza administration will make available resources to end toxic, illicit brew, drug and substance abuse in the country and bring dignity to our people.
The DP insisted that for President William Ruto and his administration, the lives of Kenyans come first.
"It is our resolve to do whatever it takes to end this menace. It is a responsibility that we must fulfil - no matter the consequence," he said.
Gachagua added that while the county has put in place measures to curb such occurrences from happening again, they are taking short-term and long-term measures to stop the menace once and for all.
He also on all leaders to support the measures.
"Enough is enough. We have no option but to save our people together," he added.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Friday said the owner of the bar where the victims took the alcohol will face murder charges.
He said the sale of illicit brew is now equivalent to banditry and terrorism.
The CS said he would be very ruthless in the war against illicit brew.
“We are going to treat it (illicit brew menace) the way we have treated the problem of terrorism and banditry by having a continuous permanent operation until this problem is gone,” he said.
The CS ordered the closure of all village bars across the country.
Kindiki said the nationwide operation is going to be active for as long as the illicit brew is in circulation.