Rigathi Gachagua Accuses Ruto’s Cabinet of Shielding Drug Barons, Casts Doubt on Anti-Drug Efforts

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has delivered a damning assessment of the government’s ongoing fight against drug and alcohol abuse, claiming it is doomed to fail due to alleged involvement of top officials in the illicit trade.

Speaking on Sunday, April 27, at St. Louis-Igwamiti Parish in Nyandarua County, Gachagua — who was impeached in October 2024 — accused President William Ruto of appointing two known drug traffickers as Cabinet Secretaries following his ouster. Though he did not name them, Gachagua alleged these individuals are major players in the drug trade, suggesting that the government’s war on drugs is nothing more than a facade.

“When I left government, Ruto brought two drug barons into his Cabinet. How can we expect the fight against drugs to succeed when those profiting from it are sitting at the decision-making table? Our youth are now left in God’s hands,” Gachagua told the congregation.

Gachagua, who had spearheaded a widely praised campaign against drug and alcohol abuse, particularly in the Mount Kenya region, claimed his removal from office signaled the government’s disinterest in genuinely tackling the problem.

“Kenya is now the only country in the world where drug barons openly sit in Cabinet,” he said, further fueling public outrage.

Linking Illicit Brews to Political Manipulation

The former Deputy President also revisited earlier claims that the resurgence of illicit brews in Mount Kenya is a politically motivated tactic aimed at weakening the region’s electoral power.

“Since my exit, the government has allowed the return of lethal brews. Police and chiefs have been instructed to turn a blind eye as deadly alcohol destroys our young people, reducing the number of registered voters,” Gachagua charged.

He condemned the alleged targeting of the community through harmful substances as immoral and unacceptable, asserting that it was possible to win the war against alcoholism — a battle he claimed had been making significant progress under his leadership.

Persistent Allegations Against Ruto’s Administration

Since his impeachment, Gachagua has made a series of explosive allegations against President Ruto’s government, accusing it of corruption, nepotism, and now, complicity in the drug trade.

Despite the seriousness of his claims, questions remain as to why Gachagua has not filed formal complaints with investigative agencies, especially given that Kenya’s institutions of accountability remain operational. Critics have also noted the timing of his allegations, suggesting they may be politically motivated following his ouster.

Nonetheless, Gachagua’s accusations continue to stoke debate about the integrity of the Ruto administration and the broader state of governance in Kenya.