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Ruto signals crackdown on illicit liquor, drugs in 2026 with new DCI unit
President William Ruto has announced that his government will establish an Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to tackle alcohol and drug abuse.
In his New Year address Wednesday, he signalled that his government will treat the abuse of narcotics "as a national development and security emergency".
"One in three Kenyan men abuses drugs or alcohol. Kenya can't grow when millions are trapped in addiction. Going into the New Year, the government will confront alcohol and drug abuse as a national development and security emergency," he said.
"We will establish an anti-narcotics unit comparable to the anti-terror unit within DCI."
He said the new unit will be like the feared Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) in terms of operational capacity.
"Fully resourced with modern surveillance, intelligence, forensic, and financial investigation capabilities, the unit will operate as a permanent, multiagency formation working closely with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Dorder Management Agencies, County Governments and International Partners," he added.
"To support this expansion, the unit’s strength will be boosted from the current 200 to 700 officers through new recruitment and redeployment, all trained and equipped for nationwide operations against high-level traffickers, financiers, and organised criminal networks."
He noted that asset tracing, seizure and forfeiture will be central to every narcotic and illicit alcohol investigation in 2026, and urged the Judiciary to support the government's efforts.
"Recognising these crimes as organised criminal enterprises, I urge the Judiciary to consider establishing specialised courts to fast-track cases, and I will consult with the Chief Justice on how the Executive can support this effort, including resourcing, while fully respecting judicial independence."
He ended with a warning to security officials colluding with drug traffickers or illicit alcohol operators.
"Any government official, including security officers, found culpable of facilitating, protecting, or colluding with drug traffickers or illicit alcohol networks will be prosecuted and dismissed forthwith from service."
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