Kindiki Accused of Protecting ‘Untouchable’ Cartels Behind Kenya’s Deadly Illicit Alcohol

Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji has accused Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki of shielding influential second-generation alcohol manufacturers, alleging that Kindiki’s office has turned into a refuge for the brewers.
While addressing residents in Kiruari village, Embu North, Mukunji claimed that the fight against illicit brews lost momentum after the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
“The fight against alcoholism and drugs died the day Rigathi Gachagua left office. The current Deputy President is not only silent, he’s part of the problem. Some of these brewers are his proxies,” Mukunji stated.
The legislator further alleged that through the ‘Mama Boys’ rehabilitation programme led by Pastor Dorcas Gachagua, more than 200 youths from Embu had successfully undergone rehabilitation. However, he claimed that the initiative was later scrapped to make room for politically motivated projects disguised as empowerment efforts.
“The so-called empowerment programme today is a cash-handout scam. The Ksh.2,000 they are giving our youth is blood money, a bait to drag them deeper into alcoholism. I will not keep quiet as our children are destroyed,” he noted.
Mukunji alleged that individuals behind the production of toxic brews remain untouchable because of their political connections, enabling their businesses to thrive while young people continue to perish.
“The people behind these deadly drinks are untouchable because they enjoy political protection. That’s why their businesses are mushrooming while our youth are dying.”
The lawmaker cautioned that the resurgence of illicit brews has devastated families and discouraged many young people from registering as voters, weakening both the moral and civic foundation of society.
Mukunji also criticized Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, accusing her of misusing county resources to sponsor political protests against opposition leaders instead of addressing pressing community needs.
“It’s shameful that public money meant for health and development is being used to hire women to shout in the streets. The Governor should fix our health system so that addicts can get treatment, not run public relations stunts for the regime,” Mukunji remarked.
He pledged to keep exposing what he described as “a cartel of hypocrisy and corruption” behind the alcohol crisis, vowing to defend Embu residents without fear or favour.
“I will stand up for Embu people even if it means standing alone. Our youth deserve life, not death disguised as empowerment,” he declared.