Authorities in the Eastern Region have intensified the war on counterfeit and illicit alcohol, drug trafficking, banditry, cattle rustling, and illegal immigrants.

Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich said the crackdown on illicit liquor ordered by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua last year had started bearing fruit as they had been able to reduce its proliferation to a large extent.

He said the operation will continue until the region is rid of the menace of counterfeit and illicit brews that had left many consumers unproductive, dead, or with lifelong health complications.

‘This will be an ongoing war as the illicit liquor trade has been a recurring menace in this region,’ he said while calling for collaboration from members of the public in information sharing to combat the trade.

Speaking from his office on Friday, the regional boss said they are also carrying out a security operation along the Meru-Isiolo border to eradicate livestock rustling that has increasingly become lethal, leading to deaths and
the destruction of property.

Consequently, Rotich said they had put in place several strategies, including deploying National Police Reservists (NPR) to work alongside other security organs to restore order.

Additionally, he said the ongoing operation had assisted in recovering some stolen herds as well as flushing out suspected rustlers.

At the same time, he reported that they had apprehended several culprits in connection with drug trafficking and also those involved in smuggling illegal immigrants into the country.

Meanwhile, the RC said they are seeking collaboration with their counterparts in Rift Valley Region to curb highway banditry following a recent incident that took place near Sereolipi in Samburu County along Isiolo-Marsabit Road.

He said though the incident took place in the neighbouring region, those mostly affected by such incidents are residents of Marsabit and Moyale in the Eastern Region, who usually ply the route.

Source: Kenya News Agency