- Gachagua used the meetings to affirm the government's plans to help farmers.
- The DP has been busy after Ruto handed him a key role in the fight against illicit brews and drug abuse.
Image: GACHAGUA/TWITTER
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had a busy week, embarking on a five-day working tour of Mt Kenya East region.
The DP's engagements in the region were highlighted by a high-level coffee stakeholders forum in Meru and another key meeting on the fight against illicit brews in Tharaka Nithi.
The visit saw Gachagua traverse at least five constituencies in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, key among his agenda being fighting alcohol and farmers issues.
Monday
On June 12, Gachagua passed by his Mathira farm in Nyeri county after on his way from Mount Kenya East.
He also checked on his Wamunyoro Farm in Mathira to assess the progress of his dairy animals.
Earlier that day, Gachagua chaired a mega meeting in Chuka's Kirubia Stadium, Tharaka Nithi County, for a multi-agency engagement of the Upper Eastern Region in the fight against illicit brew and drug and substance abuse.
He said the government will work on a joint strategy together to end illicit brew and substance abuse in Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Marsabit, Embu, and Isiolo Counties.
The meeting was the third in a series of regional conventions against the alcohol and drug abuse menace.
"We remain firm in our resolve to make our youth useful in Nation building again,'' Gachagua said.
Tuesday
On June 13, the DP accompanied President William Ruto to Kirinyaga County for the launch of the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital constructed from scratch by the County Government.
The DP said, during the event, that the project will certainly help the national government meet the rising healthcare demands and boost plans to achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage.
"This should serve as a motivation to other counties to invest in such long-term, life-changing projects,'' he said.
Earlier that day, Gachagua joined President Ruto for the state reception and award to 5,000 meters world record holder Faith Kipyegon at State House.
''She has brought honor to our country for the double consecutive wins: blasting the Diamond World Record, barely a week after shattering the 1,500M in Florence, Italy," Gachagua said.
Wednesday
On June 14, Gachagua chaired a Cabinet Committee meeting at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, to assess the progress of various decisions at Ministry and inter-Ministry levels in line with the Kenya Kwanza Plan.
"We have sustained these consultations to help us flag issues of priority and gaps for timely interventions, we are making good progress in rebuilding our nation to economic prosperity,'' he said.
The meeting was also attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Thursday
On June 15 the DP attended the AviaDev Africa Real Estate Workshop in Nairobi where he underscored the government's readiness in providing the best platform and environment for advancing real estate and aviation development.
"In Africa, the industry faces financial challenges, as most airlines struggle to break even and fly into profitability due to a number of market challenges, especially the cost of fuel and other operations,'' he said.
Friday
On Friday, Gachagua was in Naivasha for the Kenya Urban Forum, roundtable discussions on the planning of towns.
"The future is urban. This is a reality we must embrace and realign ourselves to so that we are not left behind as other nations get ready for it,'' he said.
During the event, Gachagua handed over a list of people he said are known culprits selling illicit brews to people in the area.
"All those tasked with this fight are properly briefed on the results we expect from them," he said during the forum as he affirmed the government's commitment to decisively deal with illicit brews.
Saturday
On Saturday morning, Gachagua joined hundreds of Kenyans for the Karen Hospital Heart to Heart Run in Nairobi.
The hospital was celebrating its 30th Anniversary having restored hope for over 400 beneficiaries and their families through the noble cause.
"The Hospital has led by example; I challenge the other hospitals and medical stakeholders to emulate this initiative, which in the long run, will complement the Government’s efforts of providing quality healthcare to our people,'" Gachagua said.
Image: GACHAGUA/TWITTER
On June 11, Gachagua who was in Meru held a live interview with Inooro TV's Kiririmbi Show hosted by Mike Njenga.
He engaged farmers in a productive discussion on matters of Coffee Sub-sector reforms after a two-day coffee stakeholders forum in Meru.
"You will recall that in the 80s, Coffee farming was lucrative, but when cartels and unscrupulous middlemen checked in, farmers have been languishing in poverty despite coffee being known as the black gold," Gachagua affirmed.
Earlier that day, Gachagua worshiped together with congregants at ACK Christ the King Pro-Cathedral, in Nyahururu and helped them raise funds for the completion of the ultra-modern Cathedral.
On June 10, Gachagua chaired the Coffee Stakeholders Conference in Meru County declaring that coffee reforms are unstoppable.
The meeting ended with the identification of legal, policy, regulative, and administrative measures that will be worked on for lasting solutions to dignifying the coffee farmer.
''The recommendations will be reviewed and included in Coffee Bill 2023 for presentation before Parliament, coffee reforms are unstoppable; the farmer must prevail and win,'' he declared.