President William Ruto has 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 engaged in shouting matches, President Ruto claimed that some had been sent by drug dealers to disrupt the meeting.
"I am aware that drug dealers have sent the youth to come and cause a disturbance at this meeting. Be warned, young people—you cannot threaten the government. A foreigner cannot come and turn Isiolo into a drug den. It won’t happen," President Ruto said.
Dr Ruto warned that his administration would not condone drug peddlers and dealers who are targeting the youth.
For years, Marsabit and Isiolo have been transit routes for bhang trafficking from neighbouring Ethiopia.
In the most recent operation, police in Isiolo seized bhang worth more than Sh6 million in November last year.
The 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 in Garbatulla and Isiolo town as he concluded his tour of the North Eastern region on Friday, the Head of State called on relevant authorities 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 this. We will deal with them harshly and eliminate all the drug dealers. Try selling drugs in Isiolo, and you will find out," President Ruto said.
He called on parents to be more vigilant in protecting their children from being lured into drug and substance abuse.
"Parents should be more attentive to ensure children are not recruited into gangs that leave them trapped in drug addiction," he added.
The President inspected the ongoing construction of the Kulamawe-Modogashe road, which is part of the 740-kilometer Isiolo-Wajir-Mandera highway.
He also visited the ongoing Isiolo Affordable Housing Project, the Isiolo Abattoir, and launched the construction of the Sh500 million Isiolo County Aggregation and Industrial Park.
President Ruto said his administration is committed to ending the marginalization of northern and North Eastern 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, Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali, among other leaders.
CS Duale praised the President for eliminating the vetting of North Eastern residents during the issuance of IDs in the region.
