The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has arrested a suspect linked to a major drug trafficker and seized a large consignment of cannabis in Naivasha, in an operation aimed at disrupting narcotics distribution networks in the region.
The afternoon operation was carried out by a multi-agency security team led by NACADA, in collaboration with the National Police Service and National Government Administration Officers.
Authorities said the raid was part of the implementation of a Presidential directive calling for a renewed nationwide crackdown on drug and substance abuse.
Speaking at the scene, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa said the suspect is a close associate of a known drug kingpin operating within Naivasha.
The arrest followed sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering, which led officers to a residential estate where the suspect was apprehended.
“This successful operation is a continuation of our relentless pursuit of drug traffickers who are poisoning our communities,” Omerikwa said.
He noted that the arrest comes shortly after another major breakthrough by the authority in the same town.
According to Omerikwa, NACADA recently took down a large cannabis trafficker who is currently in custody awaiting a court ruling after being arrested with drugs valued at over Sh5 million.
“It comes shortly after the Authority took down another major cannabis trafficker in this same town, who is currently in custody awaiting a court ruling following his arrest with cannabis worth over 5 million shillings,” he said.
The chief executive said the latest arrest had dealt a significant blow to what he described as a sophisticated trafficking ring.
He attributed the success of the operation to improved coordination between security agencies and the use of actionable intelligence.
“We are in hot pursuit of the remaining two major drug kingpins in this town,” Omerikwa said. “Our intelligence reports indicate their operations traverse across four neighbouring counties, but their days are numbered.”
He issued a warning to other players in the illegal drug trade, saying the campaign is no longer focused on low-level dealers alone. Omerikwa said NACADA is intensifying efforts to dismantle entire criminal networks behind drug trafficking.
“NACADA is closing in on drug lords, their associates, and their financiers,” he said.
“This pursuit, which is also coupled with aggressive asset seizure and forfeiture to the state, will continue in earnest to ensure maximum pain is inflicted on these criminal enterprises.”
Residents of the area welcomed the operation, expressing relief over the arrest and seizure. Several locals who spoke to journalists said drug trafficking had become a serious concern in the community.
“We are grateful for this arrest. Our youth are being destroyed by these drugs, and the dealers have been operating too freely,” said Mary Wanjiru, a community elder. “We hope this is just the beginning and that more of these people are caught. Our children need to be saved.”
The suspect is currently in custody and is being processed ahead of arraignment in court on charges of trafficking in narcotic drugs. The recovered cannabis, estimated to be worth millions of shillings, was seized as evidence.
Authorities said the operation reflects a broader escalation in the government’s war on drugs, with a renewed focus on dismantling supply chains and targeting high-value figures in the narcotics trade.
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