Cartels threaten Kenya anti-drugs team

Police on Thursday expressed their frustration in the war against drugs, pointing to intimidation, bribery and threats of dismissal from powerful cartels.

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said powerful drug barons were retaliating against the ongoing war on narcotics trafficking and wanted detectives off their trail.

He disclosed that the anti-narcotics team he appointed was being “intimidated” by the drug cartels, hoping the officers would yield to pressure and abandon investigations.

“Their ultimate aim is to compromise these diligent officers and force out those who cannot be compromised, including the top echelons of Kenya Police,” said the commissioner.

“The beneficiaries of this evil trade have been on the warpath. We are aware that they have vowed to use every means possible to frustrate the current onslaught.”

Mr Iteere said the traffickers tried bribery before resorting to intimidation. His comments come after 102 kilogrammes of heroin valued at more than Sh200 million were seized in Shanzu, Mombasa, last week. (READ: Police seize drug haul at Kenya coast)

The sentiments were contained in a statement read to journalists by police spokesman Eric Kiraithe at the headquarters in Nairobi. He said the traffickers portrayed the officers in bad light to the public.

“We take this opportunity to caution the public. They (traffickers) have now embarked on a campaign to discredit, intimidate and demoralise the officers,” said Mr Iteere.

A new anti-narcotics police unit headed by Mr Sebastian Ndaru was formed in January following a presidential directive to hunt and arrest drug traffickers.

It followed a public outcry after United States ambassador Michael Ranneberger said in a report that drug trafficking was rife in Kenya and involved prominent personalities in government. He submitted the report to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission.

Later, Internal Security minister George Saitoti disclosed in Parliament that former assistant minister John Harun Mwau, MPs Hassan Joho, Gideon Mbuvi and William Kabogo, as well as businessman Ali Pujani were being investigated for drug trafficking. (READ: Six Kenya MPs named in drug baron scandal)

Preliminary police findings did not find evidence linking them to the illegal trade.

A secret intelligence report obtained by the Nation at the time showed 17 prominent Kenyans – including senior police officers, politicians and business magnates – were involved in drug trade.

At the same time, lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Kirathe Wandugi, representing six suspects charged in connection with the heroin haul, recorded statements saying they had received death threats.