Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, CS Aden Duale
Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry CS Aden Duale has called out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his recent claims that the government was deliberately allowing sale of illicit brew in the Mt Kenya region.
Duale, in a statement, termed Gachagua’s remarks as unfortunate, irresponsible, and inciting.
He went on to say that the former Deputy President must rise above ethnic politics.
The Cabinet Secretary insisted that history will judge Gachagua.
“Hon Gachagua, you were once the Deputy President; this statement is unfortunate, irresponsible, incitement, and reckless. History will judge you. Don’t lower the bar for good leadership. Be a democrat,” Duale said on Tuesday.
His remarks come after Gachagua, during a church service in Naivasha, claimed that the government had ordered the sale of illicit alcohol in the Mt Kenya region after he was removed from office.
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.
“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 one to illicit and counterfeit alcohol.
The Principal Secretary added that the claims by Gachagua are ill-intended and can amount to breaking the law.
He added that if Gachagua’s true intention is to save the lives of Kenyans from the harm of illicit alcohol, he should file an official complaint and hand evidence to investigative and enforcement agencies for appropriate action.
