Joho, Marwa call for joint efforts to fight drug menace

Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho and County Commissioner Nelson Marwa have declared illicit drugs the biggest challenge facing the county.

The two said drug abuse in the county had turned many youths into zombies and called for concerted efforts by all leaders to combat the menace.

Speaking during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa’s City Stadium, Mr Marwa said drug barons were targeting the productive population in the area, a move that would affect the economy of the county.

“Drugs have become the biggest challenge in this county as dealers target the most productive population. Youths are being turned into zombies as dealers have opened shops in various areas of the county,” he said.

He said most crimes facing the county were related to drug abuse and called for the formation of a squad to flush out drug dealers.

At the same time, Marwa put on notice a gang terrorising area residents and using getaway motorcycles.

“We are going to catch up with the criminals and we will deal with them firmly,” Marwa warned.

Joho challenged the national police service to crack down on drug dealers. He noted that drug trafficking had flourished in the county because some police officers were accepting bribes to protect the barons.

He noted that shops selling narcotic drugs were well known to local residents and police and called for quick action to end the menace.

“We want to have a drug-free county and we urge police officers to stop taking bribes and arrest the dealers. The national government should go for the drug dealers,” Joho said.

He announced plans to convene lectures in honour of fallen intellectual giant Prof Ali Mazrui to help promote education in the county.