Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday ordered the arrest of a chief in Nyeri County for consuming alcohol at a local pub during daylight hours.
While speaking at a funeral, the Deputy President expressed profound disappointment regarding the chief’s conduct.
He emphasized that such actions directly contradicted the ongoing efforts of the national government to combat the sale of illegal alcohol, specifically in the Mt Kenya region, and address the prevalent issue of alcoholism in the area.
Gachagua expressed his astonishment at how the administrator could effectively carry out his duties while being under the influence of alcohol.
“Currently, there is a chief who is drinking at the bar. I will provide you with his name so that you can proceed with his arrest. It is astonishing that he is consuming alcohol at 1 pm. If a chief is intoxicated, how can he effectively address the issue of alcoholism in this area?
“A replacement will need to be found. This government will not tolerate the presence of an inebriated chief. They must choose between indulging in drinking or fulfilling their responsibilities,” stated the Deputy President.
During his speech, Gachagua indicated that he had received information about the chief’s location from local residents, suggesting that some people in his constituency had access to his phone number.
The former Mathira lawmaker also issued a warning to government officials, advising them not to undermine the government’s commitment to addressing the issue of alcoholism.
“The chiefs in this area are in a precarious position. Everyone here has my contact number, and they will not hesitate to inform me if you (chief) engage in any misconduct,” he asserted.
