Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has announced plans to convene a multi-agency meeting to strengthen the fight against illicit brews and other harmful alcoholic drinks in the Mount Kenya region. The meeting, slated for September 29, will bring together officers from various state agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority. According to Prof. Kindiki, the meeting aims to intensify enforcement and develop a coordinated strategy for tackling the menace of illicit brews.
Prof. Kindiki made the announcement in Chaka town, Nyeri County, where he revealed that Kikuyu and other cultural elders from the region had asked him to lead the war on illicit brews. As the Mount Kenya spokesperson, he said that he would work to ensure that the alcohol being sold to Kenyans meets the set quality standards. The Deputy President expressed concern over the presence of poisonous alcoholic drinks in the region, which continue to cause harm to locals.
In addition to leading the fight against illicit brews, Prof. Kindiki has been tasked by Agikuyu elders from Kiambu with uniting the politically divided Mount Kenya region. The elders, who met with Prof. Kindiki, urged him to ensure that the region remains united despite political differences. They specifically asked him to resist efforts to divide the region into Mount Kenya East and Mount Kenya West and instead promote peaceful political competition.
Prof. Kindiki emphasized the importance of unity in the Mount Kenya region, citing its history of unity from the fight for independence to the days of founding president Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta. He warned against political violence and encouraged political leaders to compete on the basis of their ideas and manifestos, allowing voters to make their choices freely.
During his visit to Chaka town, Prof. Kindiki launched the construction of Chaka Township feeder roads and highlighted various development projects being undertaken by the government. He noted that Nyeri County has been allocated Sh45 billion for the construction of 775 kilometers of roads, and 32,000 homes have benefited from last-mile electricity connections, with an additional 12,000 set to be connected.
The Deputy President also highlighted the government's efforts to improve agricultural productivity, including the reduction of fertilizer prices and the price of maize seeds. He noted that these initiatives would go a long way in improving the lives of Kenyans. Additionally, Prof. Kindiki mentioned that more jobs for the youth are being created in the construction sector through affordable housing and the construction of Economic Stimulus Programme markets.
To tackle unemployment, Prof. Kindiki revealed that the government has set up 382 ICT hubs in the country, with another 416 under construction, creating 300,000 job opportunities under Kazi Mtandaoni. He also mentioned that the government had eliminated recruitment brokers, facilitating 540,000 Kenyans to work overseas under the Kazii Majuu programme.
Key points
- Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki to convene a multi-agency meeting to fight illicit brews in Mount Kenya region.
- Prof. Kindiki tasked with uniting the politically divided Mount Kenya region.
- Government undertaking various development projects in Nyeri County, including road construction and last-mile electricity connections.
