Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed plans to deploy 200 newly trained Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers specialising in narcotics and drug trafficking nationwide. The announcement was made during a meeting at State House, Nairobi, attended by President William Ruto and village elders.

The officers, drawn from the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB), will collaborate closely with chiefs, assistant chiefs, village elders, and the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) to strengthen enforcement efforts against drug-related crimes.

Murkomen emphasized that the specialised personnel have undergone rigorous training aimed at enhancing the government's capacity to dismantle drug trafficking networks and curb substance abuse, which remains a pressing issue in various regions.

Enhanced Anti-Narcotics Unit

This deployment follows President Ruto's earlier directive to establish a fortified Anti-Narcotics Unit within the DCI, designed to operate with capabilities similar to the elite Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU). The unit is set to be equipped with advanced surveillance, intelligence, forensic, and financial investigation tools to target syndicates and their financiers.

The President also outlined plans to expand the unit from 200 to 700 officers over time, incorporating advanced paramilitary training for comprehensive nationwide operations.

Structural and Funding Reforms

Recent amendments to the National Police Service Standing Orders, gazetted by Inspector-General Douglas Kanja, formally integrate NANIB into the DCI framework, streamlining command and operational efficiency.

To bolster grassroots security and service delivery, Murkomen announced increased operational funding for local administrators. Chiefs will now receive Ksh50,000 quarterly for Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE), up from Ksh30,000, while assistant chiefs' quarterly allocations have doubled to Ksh30,000.

Collaborative Approach

The government is banking on enhanced cooperation between specialised detectives, local administrators, and communities to improve intelligence gathering and disrupt illicit drug distribution networks at early stages.

These measures form part of a broader multi-agency strategy aimed at intensifying the fight against narcotics and substance abuse across Kenya.