This was revealed during security barazas held in Lamu, led by the Coast Regional Security Committee.
Officials and residents said drug abuse has become a deep-rooted problem among Lamu’s youth and is fuelling machete attacks and other crime.
“Every problem of machetes and crime — the mother of all these problems is drugs. There is nothing else,” Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said.
Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno vowed to arrest drug dealers, saying the government would move decisively against those destroying young people’s lives.
“To the drug barons: you have killed our young people and you are still here. I am giving an order — OCS, step on these drug barons one after another,” Nuno said.
Residents also appealed for tougher treatment of machete suspects in court, saying they should not be granted bail too easily.
“When our youths are affected and one attacks another with a machete, when he is taken to court we ask that he should not be given bond too easily,” a resident from Kizingitini, Salim Aroi, said.
Officials further raised alarm over cases of youths from Lamu crossing into Somalia to join Al-Shabaab, saying many have died after going there.
“When youths cross to that side, they gain nothing except getting lost. We have lost many young people,” Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said.
Administration Police commander John Macharia urged families and communities to reject recruitment into the militant group, warning of the consequences.
“Let us not allow our children to be recruited into Al-Shabaab… because if your child goes there, he will come back to kill your mother, your relative,” he said.
During the committee’s four-day tour, officials also issued a stern warning to youths found carrying weapons, including machetes, saying the government would take firm action.
“Youths, we have said enough is enough. You are walking around with weapons — we know you. Your time is up,” Nuno said.
A resident, Nana Mote, said locals want peace restored and expressed hope the situation will not escalate.
“We want our Lamu to return to how it was before, and we will talk to our youths. I believe we will not reach a point of ‘shoot to kill’,” she said.Coast region security officials have put suspected drug barons on notice, saying narcotics abuse, youths carrying machetes and young people crossing into Somalia to join Al-Shabaab are among the factors undermining security in Lamu County.
This was revealed during security barazas held in Lamu, led by the Coast Regional Security Committee.
Officials and residents said drug abuse has become a deep-rooted problem among Lamu’s youth, and is fuelling machete attacks and other crime.
“Every problem of machetes and crime — the mother of all these problems is drugs. There is nothing else,” Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said.
Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno vowed to arrest drug dealers, saying the government would move decisively against those destroying young people’s lives.
“To the drug barons: you have killed our young people and you are still here. I am giving an order — OCS, step on these drug barons one after another,” Nuno said.
Residents also appealed for tougher treatment of machete suspects in court, saying they should not be granted bail too easily.
“When our youths are affected and one attacks another with a machete, when he is taken to court we ask that he should not be given bond too easily,” a resident from Kizingitini, Salim Aroi, said.
Officials further raised alarm over cases of youths from Lamu crossing into Somalia to join Al-Shabaab, saying many have died after going there.
“When youths cross to that side, they gain nothing except getting lost. We have lost many young people,” Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said.
Administration Police commander John Macharia urged families and communities to reject recruitment into the militant group, warning of the consequences.
“Let us not allow our children to be recruited into Al-Shabaab… because if your child goes there, he will come back to kill your mother, your relative,” he said.
During the committee’s four-day tour, officials also issued a stern warning to youths found carrying weapons, including machetes, saying the government would take firm action.
“Youths, we have said enough is enough. You are walking around with weapons — we know you. Your time is up,” Nuno said.
A resident, Nana Mote, said locals want peace restored and expressed hope the situation will not escalate.
“We want our Lamu to return to how it was before, and we will talk to our youths. I believe we will not reach a point of ‘shoot to kill’,” she said.
