A police officer has been killed in Isiolo’s Merti Sub County after suspected drug traffickers ambushed a patrol team that was pursuing them. The incident highlights the growing danger posed by heavily armed cartels using remote routes to smuggle narcotics into the country.
The 45-year-old officer was part of a multi-unit team deployed on Friday afternoon to track drug traffickers operating along notorious smuggling corridors. These routes are commonly used to transport bhang from southern Ethiopia into Kenya through Merti. The patrol tracked the suspects into Dimaade area, located on the western bank of River Ewaso Nyiro. It was there that the officers were ambushed, sparking a brief gunfight.
The fallen officer sustained fatal injuries and was rushed to Merti Sub County Hospital, 120 kilometers away, but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Another officer narrowly escaped harm after a bullet struck the sole of his shoe but failed to penetrate.
According to security officials, the suspects were riding motorbikes and may have received prior information about the patrol team’s movements. The incident occurred on a market day, raising concerns that traffickers may have blended in with locals to stage the attack.
The Merti route is among several cut-lines frequently used by cartels to evade police checks on the Isiolo-Moyale highway. The narcotics in transit often include a potent strain of bhang known as shashamanne, reportedly originating from southern Ethiopia. This variety is in high demand locally and also reaches overseas markets such as Dubai and South Africa through Mombasa port.
Kenya has grappled with the trafficking of shashamanne since 2008, leading to numerous arrests and prosecutions. Despite these efforts, demand continues to fuel supply, making the trade highly lucrative. In response, an Anti-Narcotics Police Unit was established in Isiolo in 2019 to disrupt cartel operations. It works alongside other law enforcement agencies and the military in joint crackdowns.
Earlier operations this year led to the recovery of hundreds of kilograms of narcotics and illegal weapons. Authorities also neutralized remnants of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) believed to be linked to trafficking networks. Security agencies have vowed to intensify patrols in the region and bring those responsible for the officer’s death to justice.
