The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has reported five arrests in a multi-county crackdown on suspected narcotics trafficking, with detectives recovering cannabis consignments in Busia, Homa Bay, Kitui, Murang’a and Wajir.
In a statement posted on X on October 16, 2026, the agency detailed five separate operations targeting suspected drug movement and storage, including at a bus stage, a residential house, a highway roadblock and a private vehicle.
The largest recovery described in the statement by packaging was in Wajir, where detectives arrested Abdnasir Jelle and recovered 10 bales of cannabis sativa. The DCI did not disclose the weight of the bales or provide a combined quantity for the drugs seized across the five counties.
Nairobi-bound passenger intercepted in Busia
In Busia, detectives from the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB) intercepted Abubakar Omar Rajab at the main bus stage as he prepared to board a Nairobi-bound bus.
A search of his black bag uncovered a large bale of cannabis sativa wrapped in yellow cello tape. He was arrested and taken to Busia Police Station for processing pending arraignment, according to the DCI.
In Homa Bay, NANIB detectives raided a residential house in Rodi Township, where they recovered 64 rolls of bhang and arrested Elijah Ochieng Alfred. The agency said he remained in custody awaiting arraignment.
325 rolls found in passenger’s jacket
In Kitui, a multi-agency security team manning a roadblock at Kivandini along the Thika–Garissa Highway stopped a public service vehicle travelling from Nairobi towards Mwingi.
During searches of passengers, officers found a packet containing 325 rolls of cannabis sativa concealed in Nicholas Mathumbi Kitati’s jacket. He was escorted to Kanyonyoo Police Station.
The recovery highlights one of the methods officers encountered during the operations: cannabis allegedly carried by a passenger travelling on public transport.
The statement did not indicate whether investigators were pursuing other people in connection with the suspected consignment.
Toyota Fielder detained in Murang’a
In Murang’a County, a tip-off led officers from Kigumo Police Station to Kangari Township, where they searched a silver Toyota Fielder linked to Evans Karanja Mwaura.
Officers recovered 150 rolls of bhang and assorted rolling papers. The items were secured as exhibits, while the vehicle was detained as investigations continued.
In Wajir, detectives arrested Abdnasir Jelle and recovered 10 bales of cannabis sativa. The DCI said he remained in police custody for processing pending arraignment.
DCI targets suspected drug supply networks
“The DCI remains relentless in the war against narcotics,” the agency said in its statement, pledging to pursue suspected traffickers and disrupt illicit supply networks.
While the operations resulted in five arrests and multiple recoveries, the statement did not provide the weight of the cannabis seized in Busia and Wajir, details of the alleged supply networks or information linking the five cases.
Those details would help establish the scale of the suspected trafficking activity and whether the operations have disrupted wider distribution channels.
The arrests are allegations, not proof of guilt. The cases must proceed through the legal process, with the evidence tested in court.
