The Government will not allow re-insurgence of outlawed criminal gangs, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned.
Speaking when he attended the retirement service of Archbishop Julius Gitau of AIPCA Church in Thika, Kiambu County, Mr Gachagua said it is the responsibility of the Government to take necessary measures within the law to ensure safety and security of every Kenyan.
“Let me assure the people of the Central Kenya Region and the country that the Government will not allow revival of criminal gangs. Any attempt to recreate the gangs will be met with swift and decisive action within the law,” the Deputy President said.
Mr Gachagua’s warning came against the backdrop of regrouping of the outlawed criminal gang Mungiki, in what he linked to powerful leaders.
Before being crashed, the group was linked to beheading of people, raping of women, defilement of children, extortion of money from traders in Nairobi and major towns where it had presence.
At the same time, the Deputy President asked leaders threatening to revive the group to cause mayhem to desist.
“If you have a problem with President William Ruto or myself, face me instead of using criminals to make the country ungovernable,” he said.
The Deputy President asked the youth to ignore leaders who want to misuse them. He said it was unfortunate that some people are taking advantage of the poor and unemployed youth.
“I want to talk to you young people. I besiege you; don’t be misled to start criminal activities because the government will not allow that. Criminal gangs cannot be entertained in any part of the country,” he said.
He also urged parents to talk to their children to keep off any illegal activities that may cost their lives.
While congratulating Archbishop Gitau for taking a back seat from active leadership, the Deputy President urged former President Uhuru Kenyatta to retire from active politics. He said the leaders from Central Kenya are embarrassed when the former President is involved in non-constructive politics instead of resting in dignity.
He said Archbishop Njoroge had shown pragmatism and true leadership for not clinging to power even after a retirement.
“You have challenged us and other leaders to rest and let others take over when time comes. We want leaders to dignify the office of retirement.
We continue getting embarrassed by some leaders who do not take a break and allow other people an opportunity to serve,” he said.
On the crackdown on illicit brew, the Deputy President commended the local administration in Kiambu County for their resilience in the war on drugs and substances, asking them to sustain the efforts to restore the dignity of the young people.
Mr Gachagua said the government will stop at nothing until illicit brews and drug abuse is wiped out of Central Kenya and the rest of the country.
“As a government, our priority has been to deal with illegal alcohol and substance abuse. This war is progressing well. We will not tire as long as we are in office. We will not relent until the war is won,” he said.
The Deputy President said the youth stand to benefit from the ongoing reforms in the coffee subsector adding that the efforts will only be meaningful if they are saved from the drugs and alcohol menace.
The Deputy was accompanied by Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, his Nyandarua counterpart Kiarie Badilisha and more than 25 Members of Parliament led by National Assembly Chief Whip Sylvanus Osoro, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot. The MPs assured Mr. Gachagua that Parliament will pass the Finance Bill.
“We have to encourage the growth of industries through housing. We will create a minimum of eight jobs for every unit built,” Ichung’wa said.
