Government Intensifies Crackdown on Gangs and Drug Trafficking at the Coast

The government has intensified its crackdown on criminal gangs and drug trafficking networks in the Coast region, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

Speaking in Mombasa after a consultative meeting with more than 30 elected leaders from the six Coastal counties, Murkomen said it would no longer be business as usual for drug peddlers and organised criminal gangs operating in the region.

The CS noted that the ongoing countrywide security operation is building on gains already made in dismantling criminal networks, while also placing renewed emphasis on the rehabilitation and reintegration of reformed offenders.

“I am happy to note that we have made great progress in containing criminal gangs in the Coast region. I commend the regional security teams for the commendable work they have done,” Murkomen said.

However, he expressed concern over the sporadic regeneration of criminal gangs, attributing the trend largely to youth unemployment and social vulnerabilities. He said the government, working closely with local leaders, had agreed on measures to engage young people and enrol them in technical and vocational training institutions to provide alternative livelihoods.

“We continue to witness regeneration of these gangs. Together with leaders here, we have agreed on several interventions to engage the youth and enrol them into technical training so they can live a better life,” he added.

Murkomen also cited drug and substance abuse as a major driver of criminal activity in the region, announcing tough measures targeting drug trafficking networks.

“We have agreed with leaders that we are going after the main traffickers and suppliers of these drugs. Their properties will be seized, and the proceeds used to support rehabilitation efforts,” he said.

The CS, acknowledging President William Ruto’s call for closer collaboration between the national and county governments, lauded Coastal counties for taking the lead in providing land for the construction of rehabilitation centres.

In a move aimed at enhancing service delivery and bringing government services closer to the people, Murkomen announced that several administrative units in the region would soon be operationalised.

“We are operationalising two sub-counties immediately, while the remaining units will be rolled out based on the principle of equity, subject to available budgetary resources,” he said.

He further disclosed that all sub-counties in the region would be equipped with civil registration offices to improve access to registry services. Additionally, the government plans to roll out mass national identity card registration drives targeting unregistered adults.

“There are over 500,000 adults in the Coastal region who do not have national identity cards. We will deploy live capture machines and work closely with leaders to ensure all eligible persons are registered and can access government services,” Murkomen said.

The meeting was attended by Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, and other senior government officials.