Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa says drug barons after him

Nelson Marwa during a press conference at his office on March 29, 2015. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI |

What you need to know:

  • Next president could be a drug lord, says former Deputy Speaker Maalim.
  • County chief says journalists being used by the pushers to intimidate government officials.

Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa says he is being blackmailed by drug barons due to his stand on the illicit trade.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, the commissioner said the drug trade was funding poaching, youth radicalisation, terrorism and other crimes at the Coast.

Mr Marwa said drug barons had resorted to arm-twisting government officers.

He gave an example of a man arrested recently for possessing drugs who claimed to be related to him. He said the man was funded by the drug barons.

Joseph Marwa was arrested on March 19 and charged on March 23 with being found in possession of several rolls of bhang.

He pleaded guilty but caused laughter in court when he said he was the son of the county chief.

He was released on a personal bond, but the County Commissioner ordered his re-arrest.

“The man was prepared on what to say. He was funded to intimidate me by involving my name. He was giving contradictory information at the police station. At one time, he said he was my son but later said he was my brother,” said Mr Marwa.

He added that instead of cowing him, the attempt to tarnish his name had strengthened his resolve against drug barons.

“You cannot fix me. The barons are capable of placing drugs in government offices to blackmail and intimidate us but we will win the war,” said the administrator.

He said drug lords had also recruited local journalists in their blackmail and smear campaign.

Mr Marwa urged leaders to stand up and fight the menace, which he said was destroying many young people.

“The youths killing and maiming people in Majengo and Old Town are either drug peddlers or addicts,” he said.

Elsewhere, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Farah Maalim has said there is no will among government officials to fight the drug menace.

Speaking during NTV’s AM Live on Monday morning, Mr Maalim warned that a drug baron could use the billions of shillings from the illicit trade to become Kenya’s next president.

He added that some high-ranking officials were drug barons.

“I was with Nacada boss Mututho who told me that five governors and 37 MPs could be involved in the trade. Where are we heading?” asked Mr Maalim.