Murkomen rolls out multi-agency assault on drugs after Ruto directive
By Kiprono Keileb, January 6, 2026Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a renewed and tougher national campaign against illicit alcohol and drug abuse, warning that the problem has reached dangerous levels and now threatens the country’s future.
In a statement shared on X on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Murkomen said the government is moving with urgency following directions issued by President William Ruto during his New Year’s address, with a focus on enforcement, prevention, and recovery.
“The prevalence of illicit alcohol and drugs in our country has reached alarming levels, posing a serious threat to the future of our nation. In his New Year Address, H.E. the President directed our Ministry to urgently upscale the fight against this menace,” he stated
Murkomen said the directive from the Head of State has already been acted upon, with security and regulatory agencies brought together to plan a stronger and more coordinated response. He noted that the goal is to stop the spread of illegal alcohol and narcotics while protecting families and communities that continue to suffer the effects of addiction and crime linked to drugs.
“Today, I convened a multi-agency meeting bringing together relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies to set the ball rolling on an enhanced national response to the proliferation of illicit alcohol and drugs,” the statement.
One of the immediate actions agreed on during the meeting is the strengthening of the Anti-Narcotics Unit, which has been stretched by the scale of the problem. Murkomen said additional officers and resources will be deployed to ensure the unit can operate effectively across the country.
“We resolved to immediately strengthen the Anti-Narcotics Unit through the deployment of an additional 208 officers, with the numbers to be increased progressively to the requisite strength by the end of the year. The Unit will also be provided with additional resources to enable it to effectively execute its critical mandate,” Murkomen said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that enforcement efforts will go beyond arrests, with authorities targeting the financial gains made from the illegal trade. A nationwide operation will focus on cutting supply chains and recovering assets linked to drug and illicit alcohol trafficking.
“Further, a multi-agency team will commence work immediately to coordinate a nationwide crackdown on the distribution of illicit ethanol and drugs. This operation will include the seizure of assets and property acquired from the proceeds of illicit alcohol and drug trafficking, in accordance with the law,” he wrote.
Murkomen said the fight will also focus on border points and major transport routes commonly used by traffickers, while working closely with county governments to support rehabilitation programmes for those already affected by substance abuse.
“We shall also enhance policing along ungazetted border points and major transit routes to disrupt the supply of these harmful substances. In addition, the team will collaborate closely with county governments to strengthen rehabilitation and recovery programmes for victims of drug and substance abuse,” the statement reads.