The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, has pledged full commitment to combating drug and substance abuse in Kenya.
Speaking during a security assessment tour in Marsabit County, Amin emphasised the need for stronger community-police partnerships and warned that officers found complicit in illicit networks will face consequences.
“The fight against drugs and substance abuse requires collective action to protect communities, particularly the youth,” Amin said, highlighting the area’s role as a known trafficking route.
He described drug abuse as a threat to national development and security, echoing President William Ruto’s New Year’s Eve address, in which the President declared the issue a national emergency.
Amin noted that the DCI would intensify operations targeting drug-related activities. He commended officers for their dedication while stressing the importance of public support in identifying and dismantling illicit networks.
The DCI directed police commanders nationwide to take firm action against drug sellers, traffickers, and distributors.
He also highlighted plans to strengthen the DCI Anti-Narcotics Unit with advanced tools, enhanced intelligence capabilities, and forensic resources.
Amin underscored that any law enforcement officers or public officials found protecting or enabling drug networks would be held accountable, reiterating that no one is above the law.
During the tour, Amin visited police stations, assessed operational readiness, and engaged with officers and residents to encourage collaboration and boost morale.
The DCI’s statements follow similar comments by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who on Saturday said 2026 would be a decisive year in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
Murkomen urged county governments to establish at least one rehabilitation centre per county to support recovery and reintegration for those affected.
Murkomen also announced plans to meet the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to operationalise President Ruto’s directive to expand the Anti-Narcotics Unit with an additional 500 officers.
President Ruto, in his December 31 address at Eldoret State Lodge, emphasised that alcohol and drug abuse threaten public health, national security, productivity, and social cohesion.
He highlighted statistics showing that one in six Kenyans aged 15-65 uses at least one substance of abuse, with over 4.7 million affected, noting that initiation often begins during teenage years.
The government plans to expand the DCI Anti-Narcotics Unit from 200 to 700 officers, equipping it with modern surveillance, intelligence, forensic, and financial investigation tools.
The President also emphasised that asset tracing, seizure, and forfeiture will play a key role in narcotics and illicit alcohol investigations, with recovered assets redirected toward rehabilitation, prevention, and treatment programmes.
Ruto warned that any public official or security officer found colluding with traffickers would face prosecution and dismissal from service.
He called for a coordinated national response involving enforcement, prevention, and multi-agency cooperation to address the drug and substance abuse crisis.
Authorities report that in the past three months, operations targeting drugs and illicit alcohol across the country have led to arrests and the destruction of seized substances.
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