For years, drug dealers in Kenya played a dangerous game. They delayed court cases, paid small fines, and walked free. That game is now over.
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Kenya has created special courts that will only handle drug crimes. These courts will move fast and show no mercy to traffickers.
Chief Justice Martha Koome approved four courts to do this work. They are in JKIA, Kahawa, Mombasa, and Busia. These places are key routes used by drug smugglers.
The move came after President William Ruto said drug crimes were being treated too softly. He complained that some traffickers were fined just KSh1 million, then went back to business the next day.
Now, things are different. Instead of only arresting suspects, the new courts will take their cars, houses, boats, and money.
The government plans to use this seized property to help fund rehab centres.
Kenya has already stopped huge drug shipments in the last two years. Security teams caught over 3 tonnes of drugs between 2024 and 2025.
One shocking case happened at sea, far from land. The Kenya Navy stopped a ship carrying drugs worth billions of shillings. The suspects later admitted their crimes in court.
At airports, officers have also exposed clever tricks. Some smugglers even tried to swallow drugs and carry them inside their bodies.
President Ruto has warned that this is only the beginning. He said anyone dealing in hard drugs or illegal alcohol will lose everything they own.
The new drug courts officially started work in January 2026. Mombasa and Busia will watch borders and the ocean while JKIA and Kahawa will watch the skies.
By Nairobi