Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised alarm over rising levels of drug and alcohol abuse in Kisumu, warning that the situation is undermining the county’s economic progress.

Speaking at the Jukwaa la Usalama public security forum in Kisumu, Murkomen revealed that the county ranks third nationally in illicit alcohol consumption and fifth in per capita marijuana use.

“Kisumu ranks third in illicit alcohol consumption and number five in per capita consumption of marijuana,” the CS said.

Adding;

“Any officer who is found to be abetting this crime will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

Murkomen described the trend as worrying, particularly for a county that plays a central role in the country’s economy through its fish, sugar, and rice industries.

He said the widespread abuse of illicit substances, coupled with the rise of organised gangs, is choking Kisumu’s potential.

“To unlock Kisumu’s full potential, we must confront the hard truths. Illicit alcohol, drug abuse, and organised gangs are choking progress. Our response must be decisive and comprehensive,” he added.

The government has rolled out a multi-agency crackdown that includes freezing of bank accounts and seizing assets of suspected gang leaders linked to the trade.

Regulation of the boda boda sector is also being intensified, with riders required to join Saccos and operate within set areas and hours.

Security agencies are tightening border patrols around Lake Victoria to curb smuggling and illegal fishing, which have become entry points for contraband goods, including adulterated alcohol and drugs.

Murkomen said Kenya is working on a joint framework with Uganda to ensure sustainable exploitation of fish resources and to protect fisherfolk from harassment across the border.

Beyond enforcement, the Interior Ministry is focusing on social drivers of insecurity. Murkomen highlighted high cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Kisumu and linked them to harmful cultural practices such as disco matanga and wife inheritance.

He said the government is adopting an all-of-society approach to address these traditions, which often fuel substance abuse and violence.

Students, boda boda operators, and beach management units are being brought into local security committees to give communities a stronger role in tackling insecurity.

The government insists that collaboration between local leaders, residents, and security agencies will be key to reversing the trend.

The crackdown is already yielding results.

In recent weeks, over 40,000 litres of illicit alcohol were destroyed in Pap Onditi, Kisumu, during an NACADA-led operation that also saw suspects arrested and brewing equipment seized.

Local officials, however, argue that poor enforcement rather than licensing rules remains the biggest challenge, as many outlets continue to operate illegally outside the regulated hours.

At the national level, Murkomen has also announced the formation of a special police unit dedicated to fighting illicit brews, narcotics, and adulterated ethanol, bringing together agencies such as KRA, KEBS, and NACADA.