Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has declared total war on the architects of Kenya’s drug crisis. Speaking at a security strategy meeting in Mombasa, the CS warned that the government is shifting its focus from street peddlers to the "untouchable" financiers at the top of the narcotics food chain.

"We know who they are," Murkomen stated, his tone grave. "They live in palaces while our children live in zombies in the gutters. Their days are numbered." The CS announced the formation of a specialized multi-agency unit, drawing from the DCI, NIS, and the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), tasked with dismantling the financial infrastructure of drug syndicates.

Following the Money

The new strategy prioritizes asset recovery. The state intends to seize properties, vehicles, and bank accounts linked to drug money, even before criminal convictions are secured. "We will hit them where it hurts most—their pockets," Murkomen promised. This aligns with the President's recent directive to amend the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

• The Scope: The crackdown targets the "Golden Triangle" of drug entry points: the Port of Mombasa, Lunga Lunga border, and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
• The Challenge: Previous attempts to target kingpins have faltered due to compromised police officers and judicial delays. Murkomen assured the public that the new unit has been vetted for integrity and will report directly to his office.

A National Crisis

With NACADA reporting that drug abuse has penetrated even primary schools, the pressure to act is immense. "This is a fight for the survival of our future generation," the CS concluded. "It will be messy, it will be noisy, but it must be done."