Police to conduct fresh probe on drug trafficking

By Willis Oketch

Police investigating drug trafficking will not rely on a report handed over by the US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kambona Ombaba said they have launched fresh investigations into the matter.

"I know there is a list of names but as far as we are concerned we want to get to the bottom of the matter. This would require concrete evidence," said Mr Ombaba.

Yesterday, the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya declined to give names of suspected drug barons. Instead, the imams led by national organising secretary Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa said the names had already been released by the US ambassador.

Ombaba asked for more time to carry out investigations.

"I want you to give concrete evidence which can be relied on," Omamba told the imams during a meeting at their offices in Mombasa.

The deputy Police Commissioner declined to allow members of the press to attend the meeting with the imams. Speaking to The Standard after the meeting, Sheikh Khalifa confirmed that they did not give any list of suspected drug barons to the detectives.

"We only discussed the entry points for drugs at the Coast and the effect of the drugs in the town," said Khalifa. Investigations revealed that the police took statements from various prominent businessmen and Government officials.