Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday called on Coast leaders to step up in the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
The DP who questioned the absence of coastal leaders at the Illicit Alcohol And Drug Eradication Conference in Mombasa, asked whether they were living in fear.
"I want to be very candid because I’m a truthful man.Kama mnaogopa hao drug barons mimi siwaogopi.Hata huyu professor(Kindiki) na IG hawaogopi," Gachagua added.
( If you are afraid of the drug barons, I don't fear them. Even the professor (Kindiki)and IG Koome don't fear them).
The DP stated that leaders in the coastal region have portrayed laxity in drugs and substance abuse-related issues, noting that other leaders especially those in the Rift Valley region have been vigilant in combating the menace.
"Unless the leaders are telling us there is no problem. It is very worrisome and we are concerned as a government," he said.
Gachagua urged the leaders to communicate with the government by telling them the challenges they face in this fight against drugs.
"Why don't you help us in oversight our security agencies and tell us where there is a gap? If you keep silent, how will we know where the problem is?" he posed.
"Kwani hawa viongozi wa Pwani wanaogopeshwa na nani. Nani atazungumzia watu wa Pwani of you don't participate in such forums. You need to tell us where the weakness is.
(What are the coastal leaders afraid of, who is scaring them? Who will speak on behalf of coastal residents)? Gachagua posed.
The deputy president has been championing the fight to curb illicit brew and drug abuse eroding the gains the nation has made in moulding a better society for posterity.
Nacada Coast regional manager George Karisa said that, according to their research, drug use starts at the young age of 10 years.
He said the region has been affected and that at least 13,000 people use heroin.
Karisa said that 29.3 per cent of people are using different drugs, including alcohol.
“Mombasa leads in hard drugs and substance usage, bhang and prescription drugs that people are using without doctors’ advice,” he said.
In the region, at least 18,000 people are using injectable drug users.
