Nyandarua Senator John Methu has come under fire from netizens after advocating the use of opposition leader Raila Odinga's portrait on liquor bottles to curb alcoholism in Central Kenya.
In a post on Twitter on Monday, April 17, the youthful legislator said abstinent from alcohol could be the solution in the fight against the alcoholism menace in the Central region, where the consumption rate of illegal brews is at 4.1 per cent almost double the national average of 2.5 per cent.
Methu, however, suggested that this could only be achieved if liquor bottles are branded with the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader's portrait.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party senator claims this will see most residents swearing off booze automatically owing to what he termed hatred of the opposition leader.
"Since Raila is so hated in central Kenya, we can use his portrait on alcohol bottles. This will automatically discourage anyone from taking alcohol in the region," a banner bearing his image read.
However, a section of the netizens found the comments distasteful and told the lawmaker as much.
"I am not baba's (Raila) supporter but this here is low of the lowest," one Peggy said.
"You don't have to use Raila Odinga to be politically relevant. You can do better. Not funny," @GodreyNjoroge wrote.
"The freedom you enjoy right now that you can speak with such venom was brought by patriotic leaders like Raila," @charlesochieng2 stated.
Gachagua presides over anti-alcoholism meeting
Methu's comments come barely a week after Deputy President Rgathi Gachagua convened a high-powered meeting of top Central Kenya leaders in Nyeri on Friday, April 14, 2023, to discuss the notorious issue of alcoholism and drug abuse in Central Kenya.
Gachagua said President William Ruto had instructed him to organize the meeting also attended by Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kithure Kindiki bringing together national, county, elected, and administration leaders from five counties in the former Central Province among them Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Kirinyaga to come up with recommendations to deal with illicit brews and substance abuse.
“The conference will come up with radical proposals on how to deal with the alcohol menace and abuse of drugs in this region. It will have far-reaching implications. The President is concerned and he has asked me to convene the conference,” the DP stated.
