DP declares war on hard drugs in Mombasa
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a stern warning to drug barons, declaring a new government crackdown on the supply of hard drugs in the Coast region.
Speaking at a high-level meeting at Mkomani Showground in Mombasa, Gachagua emphasised the need for decisive action, stating, “If the situation remains unattended for another 10 years, the population of young people in the region could be decimated.”
The meeting, which brought together five cabinet secretaries, two principal secretaries, two governors and several MPs, focused on addressing the escalating drug crisis, particularly among the youth.
Gachagua criticised the silence of some leaders, challenging them to take a stand against the drug menace.
“Why are the leaders quiet? Are they scared of drug barons? Or could it be that some of the barons bankrolled them to their seats...Our children are dying. Why are some of the leadership not here? Except for Nyali MP Mohamed Ali and Captain Ruweida Obbo why are the leaders quiet as our young nation is being killed,” he said: “The rest of the country the leaders are leading at the forefront. They are the ones showing us where there is a gap. We are here to discuss the problem that is affecting the region but some of the leaders are not here.”
The Deputy President called for a unified effort from local leadership, urging them to tackle drugs with the same zeal and commitment they have demonstrated in handling land issues.
He also emphasised that there would be no tolerance for state officers involved in abetting the drug trade.
He emphasised the need for practical solutions, criticising the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) for being too theoretical in its approach.
Gachagua regretted that young people at the Coast are gradually turning into zombies as a result of drugs.
“At the prime of their youth when they are very productive they have been rendered useless. They are just staring at each other,” he said wondering how drugs are being sold in the open in parts of the Coast. Barons and brewers of poisonous alcohol belong to jail. The era of calls from above ended on the day this administration took office,” Gachagua asserted, indicating a shift in approach towards combating drug-related crimes.
He further put state officers abating drug menace will not be spared as they will only have two choices, “to either work or walk away.”
Machete-wielding gangs
He called on authorities in the region to deal with the wave of rampant machete welding gangs at once.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki echoed Gachagua’s sentiments, stating that barons and masterminds of illicit brews would be treated with the same force as terrorists.
“We shall go really hard on them. I see no reason why vehicles used to transport drugs should not be forfeited or why a house that is used to store drugs is not confiscated,” Kindiki remarked, highlighting the government’s commitment to eradicating the drug trade.
The meeting underscored the urgent need for action, with leaders emphasising that the drug situation in the region had reached alarming levels. Inspector General Japheth Koome described the status of the drug menace as very close to a national disaster, calling for the arrest of drug barons without fear or favour.
The government’s renewed focus on combating the drug menace in the Coast region signals a significant shift in strategy, with leaders and officials alike pledging to take decisive action to address the crisis.
According to Nacada, out of 26,000 Injected Drug Users ( IDU) 18,000 are from Kilifi Mombasa and Kwale.
Inspector General Japheth Koome on his part said the status of drug menace is very close to a national disaster.
“We are seeing people killing each other like we saw the other day. And because of the stigma associated with it, people are afraid of talking to it. Families are crying. Where we have reached, we say enough is enough. If we are not careful we will have leaders who are addicts. Those barons must be arrested,” Koome said.
He challenged the Regional Criminal Investigation Officer to arrest drug barons without fear or favour saying “ I have brought a new regional commander he has not arrested a baron since I brought him here…everytime I ask him he says he has been receiving calls from above. In four days he must arrest one baron,” he said: “Personally I have never received a call from the DP or president directing me not to arrest who, so who are you fearing?”
