78 foreigners arrested, 58 guns seized in past three months in Isiolo security crackdown
Interior CS Murkomen warned politicians and security officers against aiding drug trafficking networks, saying those found culpable would face legal consequences.
A total of 78 foreign nationals and several drug peddlers have been arrested in the last three months in Isiolo County, as the government intensifies its crackdown on insecurity and drug trafficking, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.
Speaking during the Jukwaa La Usalama tour in Isiolo on Thursday, Murkomen noted that 58 firearms have also been recovered under Operation Ondoa Jangili, a multi-agency security operation targeting criminal elements in known hotspots across the county.
The Interior CS attributed the relative peace currently being experienced in Isiolo to deliberate government strategies rolled out in the past two years.
“There is relative peace in Isiolo County owing to various strategies the Government has laid down in the last two years,” Murkomen said.
He cited Operation Maliza Uhalifu and Operation Ondoa Jangili as key initiatives that have significantly disrupted criminal activities and led to major recoveries.
“Operation Maliza Uhalifu and Operation Ondoa Jangili have flushed out criminals in various hotspots of the county and recovered arms,” he said.
Despite the achievements, Murkomen acknowledged that drug abuse and trafficking remain a major concern in the region, noting that Isiolo’s proximity to Ethiopia has made it a convenient transit route for narcotics.
He warned that while the government has made strides in curbing the vice, more still needs to be done to protect young people and break the drug cartels.
“While a lot of work has been done to combat this menace, we must do more to save our youth and bring those responsible to justice. We are now targeting those behind the trafficking networks to ensure we completely dismantle them,” Murkomen said.
Drug trafficking
Recently, the CS warned politicians and security officers against aiding drug trafficking networks, saying those found culpable would face legal consequences.
“Politicians will not be allowed to intimidate officers or harass the police, chiefs and assistant chiefs when suspects are arrested. Officers who get involved with these criminals will also not be spared,” Murkomen cautioned during the final day of his Jukwaa La Usalama tour in the Upper Eastern Region of Embu County.
He decried the widespread abuse of outlawed drugs, illicit brews and adulterated alcohol, describing it as a growing public health crisis.
Murkomen revealed that a crackdown had already been launched against individuals cultivating cannabis in Mt Kenya Forest, warning that those found culpable would be dealt with decisively.
“Illicit brew, second-generation alcohol and drug abuse is a matter of concern in this region. We are working closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service in the three counties to apprehend the criminals growing cannabis in the forest, and they will be dealt with accordingly,” he said, noting a disturbing rise in suicide cases linked to substance abuse in the region.
He said the drug problem was affecting Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu counties, and assured residents that the ongoing multi-agency operations would root out the vice.
Murkomen further appealed to residents to support government efforts.
“So far, we have arrested some suspects, especially distributors and retailers. Security officers alone cannot succeed. The cooperation of the local community is paramount,” he said.
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