Former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua during an event in the US/XFormer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has recalled how his past alcohol use affected his progress, as he renewed his call for tougher action against drug use and excessive drinking in Kenya.
Speaking during an event in the US, Gachagua said he had some personal experience with alcohol because he used to drink before he became a Christian.
“I have some little experience (with alcohol) because I used to drink before I got saved,” he said.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said his wife, Pastor Dorcas Gachagua, played a key role in helping him stop drinking.
“And I want to thank her because since she talked me out of it, I have really succeeded. Mambo yangu ilikua inakwama sana,” he said.
Gachagua said his drinking was limited to Fridays and Saturdays, between 5 pm and 11 pm, after which he would return to work the following day.
“But she can tell you, I only used to drink on Friday and Saturday, two days,” he said.
He made the remarks while speaking about his push to tackle drug use and excessive alcohol consumption in Kenya, a campaign he said he had previously pursued while serving as Deputy President.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Gachagua criticised what he described as the widespread availability of cheap alcohol, particularly products that can be shared among several people.
He singled out a drink known as 'Gathuri', which he said is sold in a small packet of about 50 millilitres for Sh50.
“And it's instant. The first guy takes a sip, gives a second guy. The second guy gives a third. By the time the third guy gets it, the first guy is down,” he said.
Gachagua said the situation was painful for families and communities, particularly because he believed Kenya had previously made progress in addressing the problem.
“That's, the situation. I'm telling you, it's so painful to our parents, to our women, to everybody,” he said.
“Especially given that we had dealt with this matter successfully,” he added.
Gachagua has pledged that if elected, his administration would make the fight against narcotics a priority and stop hard drugs from entering Kenya within one year.
He has also promised to regulate alcohol consumption, arguing that Kenya should not allow drinking outlets to operate around the clock.
“We will also regulate drinking out. Kenya is the only country where people drink for 24 hours,” he said.
Gachagua said his proposed measures would form part of efforts to address social problems affecting families and communities.
He said political goodwill and firm action by security agencies would be necessary to tackle drug trafficking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua during an event in the US/X
