Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday lectured elected leaders from the coast region over their silence as drugs wreak havoc among their constituents.

Speaking during an illicit alcohol and drug eradication conference in Mombasa County, Gachagua questioned why leaders have remained tight-lipped on the menace yet thousands of youths are being affected by addictive illegal substances.

“Why are leaders in the coast quiet as our young population is being killed and destroyed by drugs? There is a serious crisis at the coast, the leadership is quiet. At least I have heard Moha (MP Nyali),” noted Gachagua.

The second in command went on to express his displeasure over the absence of many leaders, arguing that the meeting was of high urgency and all respective persons must be in attendance.

“Why are some not here? This is a very important conference to discuss the very existence of our population. This is a conversation that every elected leader should be part of because it is a serious problem,” added Gachagua.

“Unless the leaders are telling us there is no problem. It is very worrisome and we are concerned as a government,” he said.

“I want to be very candid and if you are afraid of those drug barons I don’t fear them. Why don’t you help us in oversight our security agencies and tell us where there is a gap.”

The DP urged leaders to forge cohesive partnerships with security organs in the region to aid in putting the nip in the bud.