Murkomen Announces Enhanced National Crackdown on Illicit Alcohol and Drugs

The government has rolled out an enhanced, multi-agency strategy to combat the growing threat posed by illicit alcohol and drug abuse, following a directive issued by H.E. the President during his New Year Address.

Speaking after chairing a high-level multi-agency meeting today, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the prevalence of illicit alcohol and drugs has reached alarming levels, endangering public health, security, and the future of the nation.

“To confront this menace decisively, we have agreed on immediate and far-reaching measures that will significantly upscale our national response,” Murkomen said.

As part of the resolutions, the Anti-Narcotics Unit will be strengthened through the immediate deployment of an additional 208 officers. The numbers will be progressively increased to reach the required operational strength by the end of the year. The unit will also receive additional resources to enhance its capacity to effectively execute its mandate.

Murkomen announced that a multi-agency task force will commence work immediately to coordinate a nationwide crackdown on the distribution of illicit ethanol and drugs. The operation will include the seizure of assets and property acquired through proceeds of illicit alcohol and drug trafficking, in strict accordance with the law.

The Cabinet Secretary further noted that security agencies will intensify policing along ungazetted border points and major transit routes to disrupt supply chains used by traffickers. In parallel, the national government will work closely with county governments to strengthen rehabilitation and recovery programmes for individuals affected by drug and substance abuse.

The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja; Chief of Strategy Execution in the Office of the President, Hon. Adan Mohamed; Deputy Inspectors General Eliud Lagat (KPS) and Gilbert Masengeli (APS); Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin; Principal Administrative Secretary Beverly Opwora; Secretary for Internal Security Thomas Saka; KEBS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Esther Ngari; NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa; and Director-General of the Assets Recovery Agency Mark Ogonji, among other senior government officials.

Murkomen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens and called on the public to support the ongoing efforts to eradicate illicit alcohol and drug abuse across the country.