Police in Kericho County have intensified their crackdown on drug peddling with the arrest of a middle-aged man during a targeted operation in Soin Sub-County. The suspect, a resident of Kaptalamwa Village, was apprehended at a well-known hideout in the Slaughterhouse area of Kipsitet Centre on July 5, 2025.
The individual was found in possession of 138 rolls of cannabis, also known as bhang, during the raid carried out by officers attached to the Kipsitet Police Station. The operation, led by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), is part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt local drug networks operating within Kericho and neighbouring regions.
Following the arrest, the suspect was taken into custody and is awaiting formal processing and arraignment in court. He is expected to face charges related to drug possession and trafficking, offences that are punishable under Kenyan law.
Authorities believe this arrest sends a strong warning to individuals involved in the trade and distribution of illegal substances. The police have vowed to sustain their operations to ensure that such illegal activities are curtailed, especially in areas identified as drug trafficking hotspots.
The latest operation in Kericho follows a similar bust conducted just days earlier in Siaya County. On July 3, law enforcement officers launched a coordinated raid in Nyang’oma Sub-Location, within Bondo Constituency. The swoop led to the arrest of a suspect who was allegedly in possession of a significant quantity of illegal goods.
During the operation, officers recovered 270 rolls of cannabis, 50 kilograms of uncustomed Ugandan brown sugar believed to have been smuggled across the border, and 78 packets of export-only cigarettes. The items, which were not meant for the local market, point to a thriving network of contraband and narcotics operating near Kenya’s western border.
Investigators noted that Nyang’oma’s proximity to the Busia border makes it a strategic location for cross-border smuggling, fueling concerns about the existence of organised criminal groups exploiting the porous frontier. The suspect arrested in Siaya was also placed in custody and is expected to appear in court to answer charges related to drug trafficking and possession of uncustomed goods.
The National Police Service has reiterated its commitment to clamping down on narcotics and smuggled goods, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Authorities also emphasized the importance of community involvement in the ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and national security from the dangers posed by illicit drugs and contraband products.
