Choose between operating bars and your job, security officers told

Northeastern regional commissioner John Otieno has issued a warning to security officers operating bars and second generation liquor shops.

This follows the government's intensified war against drugs and substance abuse.

“There is no way law enforcement officers will fight second generation alcohol when they are also engaged in the same business. We must fight this war together,” Otieno said.

“I am giving them the option to either choose business or resign because that is conflict of interest. We are not going to go back on this.”

He said he will share the list of officers who own bars with regional police commander Moses Mureithi.

Currently, a multi-agency team led by Nacada, the National Police Service and the National Government Administrative Officers is conducting a crackdown on drugs in Northeastern.

The team, in the past two weeks, raided shops, clubs and buildings suspected to be used as drug dens.

Otieno described as conflict of interest security officers engaging in bar business.

He spoke in Garissa during the review of the crackdown with selected security teams.

The teams also reviewed security situation as far as tackling al shabaab is concerned.

A number of suspects arrested for selling illicit brew and controlled drugs were arraigned.

More than 53 pharmacist and agrovets that are not compliant were shut and over 500 litres of illicit brew destroyed.

Otieno said bhang from Ethiopia, which is getting into the county through Isiolo and Wajir is the major problem.

“We have mapped up out areas that have been affected by bhang and I am happy to report that Wajir, through the multi-agency team, has mounted road blocks to counter the trade,” he said.

Otieno praised security agencies for neutralising Al-Shabaab threats.

“A number of planned terror attacks have been neutralized because of the cooperation between security agencies and members of the public, who have given timely intelligence,” he said.

The RC said the region has remained calm because of the cooperation and urged the chiefs and their assistants to continue working closely with the public to enhance security.