Gachagua’s Ultimatum: 10 Days to Fire OCSs and County Commanders
Monday, June 12th, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused Officers Commanding Stations (OCSs) of collaborating with County Commissioners to facilitate drug trafficking within their respective jurisdictions.
At Chuka’s Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County, Gachagua addressed a multi-agency engagement of the Upper Eastern Region in the fight against illicit brew. He gave the OCSs ten days to end the menace or resign their positions.
Gachagua instructed the officers to choose between serving the people and obeying presidential orders, or jeopardizing their jobs by accepting bribes from alcohol and drug dealers.
“We will collaborate on a strategy to end illicit brewing and substance abuse in the counties of Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Marsabit, Embu, and Isiolo. We remain steadfast in our commitment to reintegrating our youth into the nation-building process,’ Gachagua said, threatening to fire any OCS found to be complicit.
The Vice President asserted that numerous corrupt county commissioners and OCSs were threatening junior officers while conducting operations to eliminate alcohol and drug abuse in the region.
He warned that the government had established elaborate systems and structures to identify security officials who disobey lawful orders from his office and that of Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary for Interior.
“After serving for more than 15 years in the Service, I came to the logical conclusion that everything within the security sector is established by the officers of County Commissioners and the officer’s commanding stations,” stated Gachagua.
Therefore, the DP gave the officers until June 22, 2023, to eradicate alcohol and drug abuse in the areas they governed.
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“Failure to which, you must return home and inform your children that you are incapable of performing the work for which you are qualified. Before the Finance Budget 2023 is signed into law, we need to determine the number of public servants on the payroll, Gachagua cautioned.
In addition, the DP outlined several measures to be taken, such as increased enforcement of licensing laws and increased investment in rehabilitation programs, to eradicate the menace.
In addition, he explained that the National Security Council had adopted a resolution to increase public education campaigns in Central Kenya.
According to Gachagua, the problem of alcohol and drug abuse is grave and has devastating effects on the lives of people in Central Kenya.
“God has a method for punishing humans. There is a God in heaven if you accept bribes to distribute drugs to the children of others. You have children as well.
“Traffic officers collapse upon receiving the signal to return home. They are accustomed to receiving money daily on the street, Gachagua assured the officers.
Gachagua identified several obstacles, including the fact that the illicit brew trade is a multibillion-shilling industry and that the brewers are frequently well-connected and well-protected.
He also lamented that during the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the enforcement of licensing laws was frequently difficult due to a lack of resources and political will.
He asserted that Uhuru’s government underfunded and understaffed rehabilitation programs, which resulted in resistance to awareness campaigns because people were unwilling to discuss the problem of alcohol and drug abuse.
Gachagua’s Ultimatum: 10 Days to Fire OCSs and County Commanders
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