• He said the war against drug abuse has been won so far with the focus being to ensure 100 per cent success
• He noted that there will be no relenting in the fight as the effort is geared towards saving the young population from destruction
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reaffirmed that the war on illicit alcohol and drug abuse in the country is still on.
Speaking on Radio Inooro on Friday, Gachagua said the war against drug abuse has been won so far with the focus being to ensure 100 per cent success.
He noted that there will be no relenting in the fight as the effort is geared towards saving the young population from destruction due to illicit brews and alcohol as well as drugs.
“The war against toxic alcohol and substance abuse is still very much on track and we have won 70 per cent. It is on course and we will do more until we win it to save our youth from destruction,” Gachagua said.
“We are not relenting on this war. I will engage all religious leaders, political leaders, and influential people in society to join us in this war. We shall come out triumphant."
The government in the recent past intensified its fight against alcohol and drug abuse after concerns that it was adversely affecting the youthful population in the country.
A multi-agency approach led by The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) and officers from the Interior Ministry has seen crackdowns and operations conducted across the country.
The aim is to put a stop to the sale of illegal toxic alcohol and drugs which not only affect the lives of Kenyans but their productivity.
Despite the effort, the agencies have decried that advancement in technology is hindering the effective implementation of measures to counter the illicit manufacture and diversion of precursor chemicals in the country.
New trends in online businesses, mobile financial transactions and sophistication in falsification processes have proved to be a key challenge.
The Head of the illicit Control Unit at the PPB Job Kandie said that the country makes use of a joint multi-agency approach during inspection and verification at the port of entry and exit as a counter-measure.
“Last year we submitted proposals to the Amendment to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act in 2022 to include more punitive and deterrent measures, especially on law enforcers who conspire within and outside the country to misuse chemicals,” Kandie said.
Kandie said the amendment also provided for punitive measures against owners of buildings where clandestine labs are found to be operating which is now law.