War on drugs can’t succeed with two ‘drug barons’ in Ruto Cabinet: Gachagua

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has termed the government's efforts to protect Kenyan youth from drug and alcohol abuse futile, claiming some top state officials are in the drug trafficking enterprise.

Speaking at a church service in Ol Jorook, Nyandarua County, on Sunday, the former DP described two of President William Ruto’s Cabinet ministers as “drug barons”, without naming names.

“When I left the government, Ruto brought two drug barons into his Cabinet as Cabinet Secretaries. How do you expect the fight against drugs to be won? It cannot. Our youth are left in God’s protection,” Gachagua, who was impeached last October, told congregants.

The former DP championed the fight against illicit brews in the central Kenya region during his days in office. On Sunday, however, he said, “I knew very well the government was not interested in the fight.”

“Now, Kenya is the only country in the world where drug barons selling drugs sit in the Cabinet.”

He repeated his concerns over a purported return of illicit brews in the region since he left office, which he had last week termed as deliberate.

At the same time, Gachagua challenged the church to speak out against governance issues, calling “the only remaining hope” for Kenyans.

“Parliament has been captured by the Executive, so the church, speak loudly. If not, Kenya is gone,” he said.