Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a tough new crackdown on drug cartels in Kenya, starting with freezing the bank accounts of suspects immediately after arrest.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 30, Murkomen said the move is part of wider efforts to shut down the cash flow that allows drug dealers to dodge justice.
He pointed out that despite being hit with heavy fines, some suspects manage to walk free just hours after arrest proof, he said, of how profitable the illegal trade has become.
“In some counties, I’m told cartels pay fines as high as one million shillings on the spot, then walk free and return to the streets. That tells you how lucrative this business is,” Murkomen said.
To put an end to the cycle, the government plans to not only freeze their accounts but also seize property and vehicles believed to have been acquired through drug money.
Murkomen stressed that the goal is to make sure suspected drug traffickers feel the full weight of the law—not just in court, but financially too.
Alongside the financial clampdown, Murkomen called for changes to Kenya’s penal code to allow courts to act faster and hand down tougher punishments for drug-related crimes.
At the same time, the Interior CS issued a stern warning to government officers, especially police chiefs and local administrators, who are suspected of colluding with drug cartels.
He said the government has already started identifying and removing those aiding the illegal trade—and promised they would be taken to court, not just transferred.
“We know some OCSs, chiefs, and even police officers who are working hand in hand with drug lords. We are not going to transfer them. We will fire them and prosecute them,” he said.
However, Murkomen also promised support and recognition for security officers who show commitment in fighting drug crime in their areas.
Those who do well will be considered for promotions or other rewards.
The government also plans to ramp up enforcement in university towns and college zones, which have seen a worrying rise in drug and substance abuse.
Murkomen said data from recent community security forums shows that areas around higher education institutions are becoming drug hotspots.
“We are shifting our focus to towns with universities and colleges. These are the areas where drugs are affecting young people the most. We must secure their future,” he said.