Rédaction Africa Links 24 with CYRUS OMBATI
Published on 2024-02-02 07:13:52
In January, security chiefs reported significant progress in the fight against organized crime. This includes criminal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, poaching, rape, murder, and robbery with violence. Unfortunately, in January alone, five victims of human smuggling died due to inhumane conditions and suffocation during transportation. However, officials were able to rescue over 500 individuals who were being trafficked through the country in the same month.
Director of Directorate of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amid attributed the success of the operations to multi-agency efforts targeting organized criminal gangs. He emphasized the commitment of the security apparatus in ensuring the safety of Kenyans from the upsurge in criminal activities across major towns and cities. The intensification of these operations was necessary to dismantle these criminal organizations and ensure the safety of the public, especially during the festive season when criminal activities tend to increase.
According to Amid, these organized criminal groups are largely feared due to their political affiliations and influence, particularly in areas such as Lamu, Diani, Mombasa, Nairobi, as well as the central business district, Eastlands, Roysambu, Kilimani, and Kileleshwa. Additionally, these criminals are now relocating from their traditional hideouts in towns like Thika, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Nakuru to regions as far as Western, Nyanza, and North Rift.
As part of the operations, teams carried out raids on bars and nightclubs where drugs were being peddled, illicit brews were being sold, and shisha was being smoked. Furthermore, chemists and pharmacies that were being used as dispensing points for narcotics and psychotropic substances were closed and de-registered. These efforts resulted in the seizure of large consignments of narcotics, the rescue of human trafficking victims, and the interception of animal trophies destined for Asian markets.
In one instance in Machakos, a man was arrested for bhang trafficking and was found with over 200 bales of bhang weighing about 1,000 kilos. Similarly, in the Kamulu area, four drug distributors were arrested with approximately 200 bales of bhang ready for distribution. In Mombasa, ANU officers arrested a student with four kilos of heroin. These successful operations have motivated the officers to continue their investigative work, with the hope of convicting more individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.
The conviction and sentencing of high-profile drug traffickers such as Maimuna Jumanne Amir in Mombasa, who was found in possession of 5.4 kilos of heroin and was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment, have sent a strong message to those involved in the illegal trade. Another successful conviction was that of Schola Namuyu Imbiti, who was sentenced to 15 years for trafficking in narcotics.
In addition to tackling drug-related crimes, multi-agency teams have intensified operations against poachers, especially within parks and conservancies, to prevent the killing of animals for their trophies and hides. They have also been pursuing individuals who are known to be trophy traders and use Kenya as a transit point to smuggle trophies to Asia.
The police are also focusing on combatting human trafficking, as evidenced by the arrest of a human trafficker operating between Moyale and Nairobi, who was involved in the trafficking of six Ethiopian immigrants, as well as the rescue of over 500 individuals who were being trafficked through the country in January. Furthermore, in Tigoni, Limuru, two suspects were arrested over rape, and one of them was found to have a sexually transmitted infection.
Overall, the security forces have been making significant progress in addressing organized crime through a combination of multi-agency operations, increased surveillance, and targeted raids, resulting in successful arrests and seizures. These efforts have contributed to the conviction of several high-profile criminals and the disruption of criminal activities across the country. As the security chiefs continue their fight against organized crime, they remain focused on securing the safety and well-being of Kenyans.
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