Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has chastised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for his recent criticisms of President William Ruto’s administration.
On Tuesday, the CS attacked Gachagua on his X account for accusing the government of purposely targeting Mt Kenya locals with illicit booze.
While condemning the former DP, Duale described Gachagua’s remarks as sad, irresponsible, and risky, adding that the statements were intended to incite Kenyans.
Duale urged Gachagua to rise beyond ethnic politics, practice patriotism, and maintain the morality of a good leader, warning the DP that history would judge him harshly.
“Hon Gachagua, you were once the Deputy President, this statement is unfortunate, irresponsible, incitement, and reckless. History will judge you,” Duale told the former DP.
“History will judge you. Don’t lower the bar for good leadership, rise above ethnic chieftains. Be a Democrat,” he added.
Duale’s criticism came just three days after the former DP accused President Ruto of ordering Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to reopen all alcohol establishments, including those that make the drinks.
Speaking at a church service in Naivasha on Sunday, December 22, Gachagua criticized the government for allegedly undermining his past attempts to combat drug and substance misuse.
“The Interior Security PS was instructed by the President to reopen all those alcohol factories, and they were urged to sell the alcohol exclusively in Mount Kenya,”
Gachagua claimed.“It is not sold in Rift Valley or anywhere else. Yesterday, three people died in Bahati.”
“Since they forced me out of office, the President has ordered all the illicit alcohol that kills people to be brought here to destroy our young people,” the former DP added.
However, PS Omollo disputed Gachagua’s charges, describing the former DP’s words as inflammatory and politically motivated.
According to Omollo, the government does not manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages, and the issue of substance abuse affects people from all walks of life, including parents and children.
“We take great exception that such grave national matters can be trivialized by one individual, on a church podium nonetheless, without empathy for the families that may be struggling with this crisis,” PS Omollo said.
