Investigators probing the theft of narcotics valued at Sh330 million have revealed that part of the consignment of methamphetamine allegedly stolen by soldiers was concealed at a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) barracks, deepening scrutiny of the military’s internal controls and cooperation with civilian law enforcement. According to investigators familiar with the case, intelligence gathered from suspects and surveillance pointed to a secure military facility where a portion of the drugs was temporarily stashed after it went missing from an official operation.
The revelations emerged as detectives traced the movement of the narcotics following their disappearance, uncovering a network that allegedly involved both uniformed personnel and civilian accomplices. Sources say the drugs were moved in stages, with safe houses used to avoid detection before part of the consignment was hidden within the barracks, exploiting restricted access to frustrate searches. The investigators emphasized that the facility itself was not complicit, but that individuals are suspected to have abused their positions.
Court filings indicate that the methamphetamine had been seized during an earlier operation and was awaiting disposal when it vanished. Subsequent inquiries raised questions about inventory procedures, storage safeguards, and oversight mechanisms within agencies handling high-value exhibits. The case has prompted calls for tighter protocols and independent audits to prevent similar losses.
The KDF has said it is cooperating with investigators and reiterated its commitment to discipline and the rule of law, noting that any personnel found culpable would face the full force of military and civilian justice systems. Meanwhile, prosecutors are assembling evidence to link suspects to the theft, concealment, and attempted resale of the drugs, which authorities say posed a significant public health and security risk.
As the investigation continues, analysts say the case underscores the lucrative nature of the illicit drug trade and the vulnerabilities it creates, even within institutions tasked with safeguarding the country.
By Newshub