DCI is tracing assets linked to drug trafficking as part of its anti-narcotics campaign.
Detectives are tracing assets linked to drug trafficking as DCI expands financial investigations alongside narcotics seizures and arrests.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a drug wealth crackdown targeting cash, vehicles, houses, land and businesses. Detectives are tracing assets linked to trafficking as part of the government’s anti-narcotics campaign.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin outlined the approach at a media briefing on Monday, November 9. He said investigators were pursuing the financial networks behind the drug trade alongside their narcotics operations.
The National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau (NANIB) is working with the Asset Recovery Agency and other relevant institutions. Together, they are strengthening investigations to identify and trace proceeds of crime, Amin said.
Drug wealth crackdown follows major seizures
According to the DCI, drugs seized in two recent operations had a combined value of Ksh11.8 billion. Separately, NANIB recovered narcotics worth Ksh779,658,200 between January and October 2026, while officers arrested 1,631 suspects during that period.
Before the briefing, detectives arrested a suspected drug baron in Shirazi village, Kwale, on November 7. The operation drew on Kenya-Tanzania intelligence and local tips.
Further leads then took investigators to Ganja la Simba village in Kinondo. During a search there, detectives recovered 454 kilogrammes of suspected methamphetamine, with an estimated value of Ksh3.6 billion.
Beyond those seizures, Amin said NANIB would pursue the money behind trafficking through its asset-focused investigations.
More officers support anti-narcotics operations
To support the campaign, Amin also pointed to NANIB’s recruitment of 208 officers in April 2026. He cited the opening of 40 new stations and training for 314 officers in anti-narcotics investigations.
Earlier, President William Ruto declared alcohol and drug abuse a national emergency in his 2026 New Year Address. He said more than 4.7 million Kenyans faced substance dependency.
Ruto also announced plans to expand the DCI Anti-Narcotics Unit from 200 to 700 officers. Alongside the proposed staffing increase, he pledged modern surveillance equipment and forensic tools for the unit.
The President further ordered asset seizures from suspected cartels and proposed specialised courts to handle drug cases. He also warned officials against colluding with traffickers and directed agencies to work together to dismantle trafficking networks.
