US Says Narcotics Trafficking In Kenya Growing Rampantly

Data released by the United States show that Kenya is a significant transit country for a variety of illicit drugs including heroin and cocaine while domestic drug consumption continues to spike within the country.

The 2020 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report by the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs says that precursor chemicals used to produce methamphetamine (meth) and other illicit drugs continue to transit Kenya with cocaine entering the country primarily via direct flights from South America to Ethiopia with subsequent land transport into the country.

Heroin comes in from Southwest Asia entering Kenya both from direct shipping from launch sites along the Makran Coast in Pakistan and Iran and from countries to the south, transiting to neighboring Tanzania and Mozambique.

The report tabled in Congress states shows that heroin entering the country is destined for international markets across the globe, mainly the European countries.

“Kenya continues to face the threat of drugs flowing to and through the country and the ancillary corrupt activities associated with drug trafficking,” States the report “Kenya’s government will need to remain vigilant and aggressively pursue drug traffickers and continue efforts at the grassroots level to reduce drug demand.”

The report states that drug trafficking is being used as a source and a driver of ‘official corruption’ in Kenya.

“Enhanced enforcement efforts undertaken by Kenyan authorities in recent years have made it common for ocean-going dhows transporting heroin into East Africa to bypass Kenya in favor of less protected Tanzanian and Mozambican shores, with subsequent land transport to Kenya or neighboring Uganda,” reads the report.

The report also says that the Kenyan Judiciary needs to up its game if the war on drugs is to be won. “Kenya’s justice sector requires further improvements to effectively prosecute drug trafficking cases.”