More than 40 people have been arrested in Isiolo town in a crackdown targeting drug peddlers, muggers, illicit brew and second-generation alcohol dealers as well as people found idling past midnight.
County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding on Sunday told the Nation that the operation was a result of President William Ruto’s directive on Friday to tame cross-border trafficking of drugs and peddling in Isiolo and Marsabit.
However, there were claims that the swoop that started on Friday night was targeting youths who heckled the president, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, and Senator Fatuma Dullo on Friday.
Groups of youths from rival camps competed to heckle their opponents as President Ruto addressed hundreds of Isiolo residents after leading the groundbreaking ceremony for the Isiolo Aggregation and Industrial Park project.
“The youth who were heckling leaders brought shame to the Isiolo County leadership because of political differences between the governor and the senator. The situation is linked to rising drug and substance abuse in Isiolo. Following the President’s order, 43 suspects have been arrested so far. Investigations are ongoing and suspects will be arraigned,” Mr Omoding said.
He said the majority of the hecklers were for or against the governor and the senator while a few youths attempted to disrupt the president’s speech.
“The small group who were making noise when the president was speaking are linked to a key suspect who was arrested last week. The suspect has been using his influence in football to peddle drugs to the youth,” the county commissioner said.
He said drug dealing in Isiolo was at an alarming stage, with suspects going as far as compromising law enforcers.
“The drug dealers bring drugs from Shashamane in Ethiopia through remote areas in Marsabit and into Isiolo. In the past, we made key arrests but when suspects are taken to Nairobi, they are released in unclear circumstances. We are now following the president’s order to clean this town,” he said.
On Friday, President Ruto ordered a crackdown on drug peddlers in Isiolo and Marsabit counties warning of increased trafficking from neighbouring counties.
As groups of youth from rival political camps interrupted his speech through shouting matches, President Ruto claimed that some had been sent by drug dealers to make noise.
"I am aware the drug dealers have sent the youth to come and make noise in this meeting. Be warned young people, you can't threaten the government. A foreigner cannot come and turn Isiolo into a drug den. It won't happen," President Ruto said.
He warned that his administration would not condone drug peddlers and dealers who were targeting the youth.
In the most recent operation, police in Isiolo seized bhang worth more than Sh6 million in November last year.
Abuse of hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine has also been on the rise with low-grade cocaine known as Kete gaining traction among the youth in Isiolo town.
Speaking at Garbatulla and Isiolo town as he concluded his tour of the northeastern region on Friday, the Head of State called on relevant state actors to eliminate cross-border drug trade.
"We are aware that there are conduits being used to transport drugs from neighbouring countries into Isiolo and Marsabit. We will not allow them. We will deal with them harshly and eliminate all the drug dealers. Try selling drugs in Isiolo and you will find out," Mr Ruto said.
He called on parents to become more vigilant to guard their children against being lured into drug and substance abuse.
"Parents should be keen to ensure children are not recruited into gangs that leave them under the grip of drugs," he added.
The president inspected the ongoing construction of the Kulamawe - Modogashe road, which is part of the 740-kilometre Isiolo - Wajir - Mandera highway.
He also toured the ongoing Isiolo affordable housing project, the Isiolo Abattoir, and launched the construction of a Sh500 million Isiolo County aggregation and industrial park.
Dr Ruto said his administration was keen on ending the marginalisation of northern and northeastern Kenya.
"We have allocated Sh1 billion for the Isiolo abattoir. By the end of the year, the abattoir will be ready to export beef across the world," he said while urging residents to support the ongoing mass vaccination of livestock.
President Ruto was accompanied by Environment CS Aden Duale, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, and Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali among other leaders.
CS Duale praised the president for eliminating vetting of North Eastern residents during the issuance of IDs in the region.
