Kenya has begun construction of a multi-agency command centre in Eldas North Sub-County of Wajir County to reinforce fight against cross-border drug trafficking and human trafficking along its 700 kilometre porous border with Somalia.

In recent years, the frontier town of Wajir has become hub illicit drug trafficking after authorities choked Garissa, Mandera, Lamu, Malindi and Mombasa had long been the established corridors for narcotics imported from South East Asia and Latin America.

Speaking after the ground-breaking ceremony, Wajir County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo said the facility will enhance security operations in the remote area, which has emerged as a major route for illicit activities.

North-eastern Kenya has since independence been under-governed and under-policed. The ensuing security vacuum – in addition to extreme poverty – has been exploited terrorists from neighbouring Somalia to smuggle drugs and other contraband goods such as sugar, cigarettes, rice and cooking oil to get funds to finance insurgency back home.

Ngumo said the Basir corridor, located over 200 kilometres from Wajir town, poses a major challenge to security agencies due to its vastness, allowing traffickers to exploit the area to transport drugs and smuggle into the country undocumented migrants.

“This area has been a major route for trafficking of drugs, especially marijuana sourced from neighbouring countries. The drugs go through Marsabit, Wajir, Isiolo and onward to other parts of the country,” he said.

The county commissioner noted that the project is a joint initiative of the County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) and the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), with support of Eldas MP Adan Keynan.

He said the multi-agency centre will host the General Service Unit (GSU), National Police Service (NPS), Administration Police (AP) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS), among others.

Ngumo pointed out that the integrated approach will strengthen coordination among security agencies and reduce the likelihood of compromise in tackling organized crime.

“The government will do whatever it takes to ensure drug trafficking and human smuggling are stopped. These activities are destroying our youth and undermining the future of our country,” he said.

He urged residents to support the project, noting that the facility will not only serve Wajir County but also neighbouring counties of Marsabit and Isiolo.

Wajir County Administration Police Commander David Nyadera commended local residents for their cooperation with security agencies through community policing initiatives. Nyadera said the establishment of the command centre will enhance surveillance and response, making it difficult for criminals to operate in the area.

“We assure residents that once this facility is complete, it will not be possible for traffickers to continue using this route. We will arrest and prosecute those involved in illegal activities,” he said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report KNA / By Hamdi Buthul