A Multi-agency team comprising security agencies, the County government, and other government departments has declared war on illicit drugs, brew and counterfeit alcohol in Marsabit County.
The move is part of the 100-days operation exercise launched to dismantle the illegal trade and protect residents, particularly the youth, from the growing threats of substance abuse.
The team, which brings together the County Security Committee, the National Authority for the campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the County government, the Government chemist, public health officials and other agencies, has viewed to target the entire illicit drug and alcohol supply chain, including producers, processors, traffickers, distributors and dealers.
The operation, being conducted under the Rapid Result Initiative (RRI), was officially launched in Marsabit town, with authorities warning those involved in the production, transportation and sale of illegal drugs and alcohol that they will face the full force of the law.
Marsabit County Commissioner, Stanley Kamande, said that the 100-day initiative would intensify the fight against chang’aa, cannabis, counterfeit alcohol and other illicit substances across the County.
Mr. Kamande said authorities had identified areas where illicit brews, particularly chang’aa were still being produced despite previous enforcement operations.
“We have noted that there are still parts of the County where chang’aa is being brewed, including within Marsabit town and other areas,” he said.
He said the operation would also target bars, wines and spirits outlets and other businesses selling alcohol drinks without the required licenses.
The County Commissioner warned traders against selling alcohol products that had not been verified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), saying the government would not allow counterfeit and substance products to remain on the market.
He said some businesses were selling alcohol without licenses, while others were dealing in products that did not have the required tax stamps or had not undergone the necessary quality verification.
“We will also crack down on counterfeit alcohol to ensure that such products are removed from the shelves of bars and other outlets,” Kamande said.
He said the operation would also target individuals involved in the trafficking and sale of cannabis, commonly known as bhang, in the country.
Mr. Kamande warned people involved in transportation or selling the drug to stop the illegal trade, saying security agencies would pursue them whenever they operate.
The County Commissioner said the RRI would run for 100 days and would involve intensified enforcement and coordination among the participating government agencies.
He said the latest initiative was different from previous crackdowns because of the multi-agency approach, which would allow various departments to combine their expertise and resources.
Mr. Kamande acknowledged that security agencies had conducted similar operations in the past, but said the latest initiative required renewed commitment and stronger coordination to achieve lasting results.
He urged security officers to intensify their efforts during the 100-day period and ensure that those involved in the illicit trade were brought to justice.
NACADA Marsabit County Coordinator, Mohamed Wako, said the Authority would coordinate the implementation of the government directive in collaboration with the multi-agency team.
Mr. Wako said the operation would cover all parts of the County to ensure that drug dealers and illicit brewers did not move their activities to other areas to evade enforcement.
“We have the entire security team on board. This is a new energy that will give us the strength and confidence to succeed in our mission,” he said.
Mr. Wako said the campaign aims at protecting young people from effects of drug and substance abuse, warning that the continued availability of illicit drugs and alcohol risked destroying the entire generation.
He said NACADA had not yet conducted a County specific survey to establish the full extent of the drug and substance abuse in Marsabit, but plans were underway to undertake one.
Mr. Wako said the survey would help authorities understand the pattern of drug use and identify areas requiring targeted interventions.
He identified bhang as one of the drugs commonly used by the young people in the County, while illicit and counterfeit alcoholic products remained a major concern.
He said authorities would also examine the use of Miraa and prescription medicine obtained over the counter as part of efforts to understand the broader abuse problem.
Mr. Wako said Miraa was culturally accepted in some communities, but called for further research to establish its relationship with the use of the other substances.
He also raised concerns over the availability of prescription medicine through pharmacies, saying authorities would scrutinize the operations of pharmacies in Marsabit town and other parts of the County, to ensure that medicines were not being illegally sold or misused.
“We need to look at the mushrooming pharmacies in this town and other Sub-counties to ensure that prescription medicines are not being misused, “he said.
Representing the County Government Chief of Staff, Abdo Alla, said the County Administration had joined the Multi-agency team in the fight against illicit drugs and brews.
Mr. Alla said the County government was committed to supporting the initiative, noting that the effects of drugs and substance abuse were being felt by families and communities.
He acknowledged that previous enforcement operations had resulted in arrests and suspects being arraigned in court, but said more needed to be done to permanently address the problem.
He said the multi-agency operation would focus on the entire supply chain instead of targeting only drug users and small sellers.
Alla said authorities would particularly focus on people involved in the production, processing, transportation, distribution and sale of illicit drugs and brews,” he said.
He called on residents to cooperate with security agencies and provide information that could help authorities identify people involved in the illicit trade.
Authorities said the operation would only focus on arrest, but also seek to disrupt the production and distribution networks that sustain the illicit drug and alcohol trade.
The Multi-agency team has vowed to sustain the operation throughout 100 days and assess its impact at the end of the initiative, with authorities maintaining that the fight against illicit drugs and alcohol, will require sustained collaboration beyond the RRI period.
By Anthony Melly
