State to crack down on illicit liquor, drug trafficking in Garissa

Garissa County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich has warned the public that the government will conduct a crackdown operation to root out drug abuse and the sale of illicit liquor in the county.

Cherutich said that a multi-agency enforcement committee will be formed in conjunction with the county government and other relevant authorities to gather information and arrest all the culprits.

“We will carry out a stern operation with county enforcement officers, chiefs and assistant chiefs in all sub counties in Garissa to put a stop to drug abuse in this county,” Cherutich said

Speaking on Saturday during the launch of the Garissa county Rapid Response Initiative to eliminate counterfeit drinks, Cherutich said that the government will take stern action against drug barons and traffickers.

The county commissioner urged the general public to share intelligence reports with the security agencies to ensure that further action is taken.

“We have a mulika program which has been launched by the government. If you want to report a crime send a short message from your phone to 988, you will get an option to fill in details and the name of those involved in the crime,” said the county commissioner.

He lamented drug trafficking from across the bordering counties and countries noting that the security apparatus has already garnered information against the individuals for arrests.

Cherutich called on religious leaders to implore the youth against abusing drugs, which has been attributed to rising the crime rate in the county.

The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) Northeastern regional manager Rev Wangai Gachoka revealed that some people are abusing prescription drugs used to treat patients with mental health challenges.

“He said that the agency will focus on the traffickers and bar managers who are operating without legal licenses.

“We will not allow anybody to operate without the liquor license or following the law. We are going for those using bar licenses to open wines and spirit shops and close them,” Gachoka said

“With the multi-sectoral approach, we will be able to implement the Tobacco Act (2007), Alcoholic Act (2010), and, with Kenya Revenue Authority and the Anti-counterfeit Authority make sure that we eliminate drug abuse in this region,” he added.

The event was attended by government agencies among them Kebs, Nacada, the anti-counterfeit authority, KRA and the county government.

Also represented were representatives from faith-based organizations, youth, women and people living with disabilities.

Edited by D Tarus