MERU, Kenya, Nov 8 – Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi has directed the Provincial Administration in Imenti South district to crackdown on consumers and sellers of illicit brews saying it derailed development.
He proposed that bars in the area be opened in the afternoon to encourage working culture among the youth.
Speaking at Igandene Catholic Church during a fundraiser in aid of construction of a church in memory of the late consolata priest Fr Yard Lee, Mr Murungi urged the local DC Dominic Musyoka to tighten the fight on brewing and consumption of illicit brews saying it retards the development of any region.
He warned that any Provincial Administration officer found compromising the brewing or consumption of the brew will be sacked immediately.
“No country can develop while being led by drunkards. People are dying each day due to this vice. Nobody should seek sympathy from me or from any legislator. Every chief found compromising or colluding with the same should be interdicted,” the Minister warned.
“I am also calling on the assistant chiefs to keep a record of the residents within their area of jurisdiction so as to know who are involved, what business and also to tame this block of irresponsible drinking hindering us from development,” added the Imenti South MP.
The minister called on the Catholic Bishop Salesio Mugambi who was present to pray for him so that he can realise his dream of becoming the Meru senator come the general elections in 2012.
“I am convinced that through Gods intervention, all will be well. I’m appealing to Bishop Mugambi to pray for me, so that I can realize my goal,” said Mr Murungi.
He said that he wanted to improve the living standards of the people in the larger meru and hailed his own development record in the constituency saying that South Imenti leads in the infrastructure, education and agriculture with the tea farmers getting a record of Sh2 billion for this year’s bonus.
He regretted that the youths are dying due to consumption of illicit liquor where he took the opportunity to ban the opening of the alcohol outlets during working hours.
“Nobody should seek my sympathy if found drinking illicit brews or drinking during odd hours. You should learn from Kirinyaga district where some people sleep under the bed because they are too weak to climb into their beds,” said Mr Murungi.
He said that the provincial boundaries were increased to fight the vice, develop the country and fight poverty.
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