From the High Seas to Justice: Kenya’s Fight Against Drugs Trafficking

Kenya’s leadership of Working Group 3 on Operational Cooperation and Coordination at Sea continues to strengthen regional efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and other forms of maritime crime in the Western Indian Ocean. Through sustained maritime patrols, surveillance and coordinated operations, the country safeguards territorial waters while contributing to the overall security of the maritime domain. As part of these efforts, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, led the destruction of more than one tonne of methamphetamine valued at approximately KSh 8.2 billion at the Bamburi Cement Limited, Mombasa Plant. The consignment alongside ‘MV MASHALLAH’ dhow and six suspects were intercepted by Kenya Navy Ship (KNS) SHUPAVU, approximately 630 kilometres off the Mombasa coast. The interception was conducted during Operation BAHARI SAFI under the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) programme in October 2025, following intelligence received from the Regional Coordination Operations Centre. The vessel and consignment were escorted to Mombasa Port and subsequently handed over to a multi-agency team for investigations and the pro