'Why are you quiet as our young people are dying?' Gachagua lectures coast leaders

Speaking during an illicit alcohol and drug eradication conference in Mombasa County, Gachagua questioned why leaders have remained tight-lipped on the menace yet thousands of youths are being affected by addictive illegal substances.

"Why are leaders in the coast quiet as our young population is being killed and destroyed by drugs? There is a serious crisis at the coast, the leadership is quiet. At least I have heard Moha (MP Nyali)," noted Gachagua.

The second in command went on to express his displeasure over the absence of many leaders, arguing that the meeting is of high urgency and all respective persons must be in attendance.

"Why are some not here? This is a very important conference to discuss the very existence of our population. This is a conversation that every elected leader should be part of because it is a serious problem," added Gachagua.

Gachagua further stated that leaders in the coast region have exhibited laxity in raising alarm on the matter, saying that other leaders especially those in the Rift Valley region have been vigilant in combating the menace.

"Unless the leaders are telling us there is no problem. It is very worrisome and we are concerned as a government," he said.

"I want to be very candid and if you are afraid of those drug barons I don't fear them. Why don't you help us in oversight our security agencies and tell us where there is a gap."

Gachagua therefore urged leaders to forge cohesive partnerships with security organs in the region to aid in putting the nip in the bud.

The deputy president has been championing the total flush out of illicit brews and drug abuse in the nation which he has said is eroding the gains the nation has made in moulding a better society for the nation's posterity.

In a recent directive, he ordered that all National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) and police officers will be banned from owning bars.