President Ruto proposes the death penalty for drug traffickers

President William Ruto’s New Year message was specific on the biggest hurdle yet to the ambitious Ksh.5 trillion journey to Singapore.

Ruto enumerated the grim statistics of the extent of drug, alcohol and substance abuse in the country which he said had become a national emergency stagnating the economic growth of the nation.

And as part of the measures to tackle the pandemic, the President has a rather radical proposal which could see culprits hit with a maximum sentence.

“Watu wa kuuza madawa za kulevya…heroin, cocaine…tunabadilisha sheria hiyo itakuwa capital punishment, mtu kama huyo anaenda kunyongwa,” said the President.

In an exclusive interview with Citizen TV, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also made a case for the change of law drawing parallels with how other first-class countries are dealing with the menace.

“In certain countries like Philipines, Malaysia, China and the like, drugs attract the death penalty. And people are hanged for trafficking and selling drugs. We cannot achieve first world status while the most productive generation is being wiped out by drugs and alcohol,” said Murkomen.

The CS stated that the current judicial system does little to deter criminals, as many walk away with a slap on the wrist.

“The fines are so low that it encourages people to continue selling illicit alcohol and adulterate ethanol without the fear of consequences because they know they can pay fines and get greater profits,” he noted

The government plans to revamp the capacity of the Anti-Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), with its expertise expected to match that of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit.

“Immediately from Monday next, I will be holding a meeting with the IG to look at ways to support the National Police Service in establishing that Anti-Narcotics Unit. Why Kenyans should support this fight is because nearly every family has a person who is addicted,” Murkomen added.

The ministry will then begin enhanced crackdown targeted at drug barons and those dealing in illicit alcohol.

“We will start with the big men. Those of you who are doing good business on the front and behind the scenes you’re doing illicit business, I am sorry, we will not stop at anything. We will do everything possible to ensure that you’re smoked out,” he said.

The CS said traffickers have however advanced their tricks to ensure long-term addiction and especially focus on youth from well-off families who sustain use.

One in every six Kenyans aged between 15 and 65, that is over 4.7 million people, is currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse.

The burden falls heaviest on men and young people. One in every three Kenyan men in this age group uses drugs or alcohol.

Among young adults aged 25 to 35, one in five is affected. Alcohol remains the most widely used substance, with more than 3.2 million current users.