The county commissioner stated that the operation will persist in the coming days, despite online criticism from Kenyans regarding the circumstances of the arrests.
At least 43 youths were arrested in Isiolo town amidst a crackdown carried out by security agencies over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday.
According to County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding who spoke to the media on Sunday, February 9, police targeted drug traffickers, muggers, sellers of illicit brews and second-generation alcohol, along with individuals loitering in the town past midnight.
The operation stemmed from President William Ruto’s directive on Friday to curb cross-border drug trafficking and peddling in Isiolo and Marsabit. It is part of a larger initiative to restore order in Isiolo town, which has recently experienced a surge in criminal activity.
The county commissioner stated that the operation will persist in the coming days, despite online criticism from Kenyans regarding the circumstances of the arrests.
Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding during a past address. /KENYA NEWS AGENCY
The timing of the arrests also raised suspicions given that they came hours after a video surfaced showing a group of youths jeering at President William Ruto during his visit to Isiolo. The jeering was so intense that Governor Abdi Guyo had to step in, urging the crowd to show respect to the president.
Reports surfaced alleging that the arrests, which began on Friday night, specifically targeted youths who had jeered at the President. However, Omoding revealed to the media that the crackdown was necessitated by Ruto’s directive to security agencies in Isiolo to curb the cross-border trafficking of drugs.
“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,” Omoding said.
“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.”
He stated that drug trafficking in Isiolo had reached a critical level, with suspects even bribing law enforcement officers.
“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 added.
On Friday, President Ruto directed a crackdown on drug traffickers in Isiolo and Marsabit counties, warning of rising smuggling from neighbouring regions. As rival political youth groups disrupted his speech with shouting matches, Ruto alleged that some had been sent by drug dealers to cause a disturbance.
“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, further warning that his administration would not tolerate drug traffickers and dealers preying on the youth.
For years, Marsabit and Isiolo have served as key transit routes for bhang smuggling from neighbouring Ethiopia. One such crackdown in Isiolo saw a sitting Member of the County Assembly arrested on accusations of dealing in marijuana.
Meanwhile, Ruto who was speaking at Garbatulla and Isiolo town as he concluded his tour of the northeastern region on Friday, 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,” Ruto issued a stern warning, further urging parents to become more vigilant to guard their children against being lured into drug and substance abuse.
Stones of bhang recovered in Isiolo County on November 11, 2024. /CITIZEN DIGITAL