Data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the narcotics business was more prevalent in the country last year amid claims that drug trafficking is deep rooted in the country and that drug barons are protected by politicians.
KNBS’ Economic survey 2019 shows that reported crimes involving dangerous drugs increased by 44.1% in 2018 as compared to 2017.
“The total number of crimes reported to the police increased by 13.2% from 77,992 in 2017 to 88,268 in 2018 with crimes involving dangerous drugs reported to have increased by 44.1%,” reads the report.
Factor this, the growth of the drug business occured one year after notorious drug lords Ibrahim and Baktash Akasha, Pakistani national Ghulam Hussein and Indian national Vijaygiri Goswami were extradited to the United States, a country known for going all out for anyone who sells drugs to its citizens, directly or indirectly.
The arrest of the four did little to stop the growth of the drug network which has its operations at the Kenyan Coast.
The two brothers had taken over a drug empire built by their father Ibrahim Akasha and were deeply involved in an operation that smuggled drugs to different countries across the world.
Ibrahim and Baktash, sons of slain druglord Ibrahim Akasha pleaded guilty to charges in a New York Court in October 2018 amid reports that they were offered a plea deal to give up their collaborators including politicians, judges and lawyers.
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US has shown that it is very keen on tighten the noose on the drug network in the country with speculation being that a Cabinet Secretary, a governor, a city lawyer and a host of other politicians are being investigated by the Americans.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has already confirmed that his office is working with the Americans in a war that may claim several prominent individuals.
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“We have not completed the process between us and the US,” Haji said in the interview with The Nation in November last year. “We are privy to the investigations. We know the individuals but we have to wait for the request from the US before naming anyone,”
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