Economy

President declares "total war" on drug menace at the Coast

UK

President Uhuru Kenyatta during a past media briefing. PHOTO | FILE.

President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday declared total war on the drug menace in the coast region, saying no effort would be spared in eradicating the scourge.

He called on all leaders to join hands and work with security agencies to ensure that drugs are eliminated completely and traffickers punished for their crimes.

“My Administration will not relent. We shall destroy any vessel on land, sea or air that is confirmed to be carrying drugs,” Mr Kenyatta said.

Adding that government will not allow illicit brewers, drug traffickers and sellers to destroy lives, he emphasised that the State will intensify operations against them across the entire region.

Mr Kenyatta was speaking when he officially opened this year’s Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show at the Mombasa show ground, Mkomani.

Disappeared youth

While directing security committees to investigate whether youth in the region who disappeared were recruited by terrorist networks , he urged parents whose children are missing to work closely with security agencies to ensure their safe return.

“Work with political, religious and community leaders to rehabilitate the youth,” President Kenyatta told the security committees.

He also applauded ongoing efforts at restoring security in the coast region, saying as a result the tourism industry was recovering as a result.

He also affirmed the State's commitment to addressing land issues at the coast, saying the second phase of issuance of title deeds in the region is set to begin.