Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba during a past function. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Githunguri lawmaker Gathoni Wamuchomba has poked holes on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s approach of fighting illicit brew in Mt Kenya Region.
According to the lawmaker, who has of late been at loggerheads with Kenya Kwanza government bigwigs including President William Ruto and his DP following her stand on Finance Bill 2023, Mr Gachagua’s approach in fighting alcohol and drug abuse in his backyard may not bear fruits.
In an exclusive interview with Nairobi News, Wamuchomba said the menace needs a calculated tactic which requires starting from the root cause of youths enticing themselves in alcohol.
Faulting DP Gachagua approach, the MP said the move will require establishing many prisons to charge the accused.
“The victims are patients who need rehabilitation, not charging them by taking them to courts and eventually landing them in jail”s, Wamuchomba stated.
Through her MamaCare Foundation, the MP runs a rehabilitation centre in Githunguri, Kiambu County.
“If we start arresting the drunkards and taking them to court, that calls for setting up prisons in every area such as wards.
“Alcohol and drugs victims as well as addicts are patients who need to be treated, through rehabilitation centres,” the vocal legislator explained.
Instead, the MP suggests an approach against alcohol and drug substance abuse, should start with the school going children, especially the boys who fall victims, by engaging them in meaningful activities such as sports.
“During their free time, they should be engaged in sports such as soccer. Their minds will be enticed to meaningful exercises,” she stated.
Just like other parts in Central Region, Githunguri Constituency represented by Wamuchomba in parliament, the lawmaker regretted it is adversely affected by alcohol and drug abuse.
“The issue of alcohol and drug abuse in Githunguri is not new. It has been affecting our children and the damage is huge.”
She also regretted that the young generation’s mind is corroded by watching obscene and pornographic contents through digital platforms, observing that can be reversed by involving children in meaningful activities such as sports.
The problem of alcohol in Central Kenya cannot be addressed by chiefs and the sub-county commissioners alone, it is a collective responsibility for all of us, Wamuchomba insisted.
According to the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), victims are falling prey as early as 10 years.
Curbing the menace, would therefore call for a campaign at a very tender age.
April 2023, DP Gachagua launched an operation to wipe out illicit brew and drug substance abuse in the Central Region vowing to crush the menace.
The second in command warned police officers and provincial administration officers who defy his directive, threatening to relieve them of their duties.
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