An anti-drugs crusader in Kwale county says his life is in danger after his car was torched — he blames drug barons.
Teens Watch director Cosmas Maina's car and one next to it were set ablaze Sunday night at a parking yard in Ukunda.
"They are using the tactic of burning my car to scare me. The society has no problem. We are sure drug barons are behind this," Maina said on Monday.
He addressed reporters at the scene, standing in front of two charred wrecks that had gone up in a fireball. Firefighters had difficulty extinguishing the fire.
The arson attack occurred as the state has launched a fresh crackdown on drugs at the Coast.
"Our center helps drug addicts shun drugs," Maina said, adding that he has about 4,000 drug addicts - majority being youths - undergoing rehab.
"Using methadone, which helps them stop using drugs completely, will be a setback to the barons who benefit from the business of selling heroin," he said.
In two or three weeks, his centre is expected to start administering methadone, a synthetic drug used as a substitute for heroin and morphine.
"It will be a waste of time
if they try to kill me," Maina said.
"Even if they try to silence me, my team and the government will continue to give addicted youth a comprehensive package of harm reduction."
Maina called on the government to provide security to people operating rehabilitation centers in Watamu, Mombasa, Kwale, Malindi and Nairobi.
He said the centres are the main targets of drug barons.
On January 31, two sons of slain drug baron Ibrahim Akasha - Ibrahim and Baktash - were extradited to the US.
They were taken away alongside their partners Gulam Hussein (Pakistani) and Vijaygiri Goswami (Indian).
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