Police in Nairobi have seized close to 90 kilograms of unprocessed cannabis sativa after a targeted operation in Nyamakima, a busy commercial area within the Central Business District.
The recovery followed the interception of a lorry suspected of ferrying illegal substances, marking another major step in ongoing efforts to curb the drug trade in the city.
The vehicle was intercepted during the operation and taken to the Nairobi Area Traffic yard, where officers carried out a detailed inspection. Inside the lorry, police discovered fourteen sacks filled with the illegal substance.
The driver and his assistant were arrested on the spot and taken into custody as investigations began.
The two suspects remain held by police and are expected to be presented in court once inquiries are completed. Authorities believe the consignment was part of a wider supply chain meant to distribute drugs within urban areas.
“This operation reinforces the commitment of the National Police Service to combating drug trafficking, curbing the circulation of illegal narcotics, and safeguarding public safety through proactive policing,” the service stated in an official release.
Police said the Nyamakima operation was carefully planned and executed, noting that such areas remain key targets due to high trade activity that can be used to hide illegal dealings. Officers added that continued patrols and intelligence-led actions are being stepped up to block drug movement routes.
The seizure falls within a broader countrywide campaign against narcotics and other banned substances. Law enforcement agencies are focusing on breaking supply networks and stopping drugs before they reach neighbourhoods, where they often lead to crime and social harm.
The National Police Service stressed that stopping drugs at entry and transport points plays a major role in protecting communities. Members of the public were again urged to share information on suspicious activity, which police say has been vital in past successes.
The arrests also come at a time when the government is rolling out wider plans to deal with alcohol and drug abuse across the country. The strategy goes beyond arrests and includes treatment and recovery support.
Speaking after a multi-agency meeting on Wednesday aimed at pushing forward pledges from his New Year Address, Ruto said the government will set up rehabilitation centres in every county. The programme will be carried out together with county governments and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, while treatment services will also be strengthened through the Social Health Authority.
“We will establish rehabilitation centres in all 47 counties, working closely with county governments and NACADA, alongside strengthened rehabilitation services in national referral hospitals,” the President said. He added that the Social Health Authority “will enhance the cover for treatment and recovery.”
The approach links prevention, policing, treatment, and recovery, forming what the government describes as a full response to drug abuse. The President has previously warned that the problem poses a serious threat to national development and security.
