Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed concern about the return of illicit brews in the Central region.
In a televised interview on Sunday from his Wamunyoro residence, Gachagua stated that people were happy with the program.
"I had fought illicit brew in Central. People were happy with this program. But now these illicit brews are back," Gachagua stated".
In December 2024, Gachagua claimed that the government was deliberately allowing the sale of illicit brew in the Mt Kenya region.
He claimed the state further ordered relevant government officials to allow the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brew.
Following the claims, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo termed Gachagua’s remarks as selfish and politically motivated.
“The state Department of Internal Security and National Administration wishes to condemn the reckless statements made by the impeached former Deputy President Mr Rigathi Gachagua in a church service he attended yesterday, accusing the government of deliberately targeting citizens of Kenya in the Mt. Kenya region with illicit and counterfeit alcohol distribution,” he said then.
“It is therefore in bad faith and disingenuous of Mr Gachagua to turn around, after serving this country at the highest office, and lay such ludicrous claims on such a sensitive matter that deeply impacts families and lives.”
Omollo insisted that it is worrying that such a sensitive matter can be trivialised without empathy for families that have lost their loved ones to illicit and counterfeit alcohol.
The Principal Secretary added that the claims by Gachagua are ill-intended and can amount to breaking the law.