Kisumu ranks third in illicit alcohol use – Murkomen

Kisumu County has emerged as one of the regions most affected by illicit alcohol and drug consumption, according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama public security forum in Kisumu, Murkomen revealed that the county ranks third nationally in illicit alcohol use and fifth in per capita marijuana consumption. He warned that the situation poses a growing threat to public health, safety, and economic progress, especially in a county that plays a central role in Kenya’s food production and regional trade.
Murkomen said the government has launched a multi-agency crackdown targeting illegal brews, organised criminal networks, and drug trafficking rings operating across the region. The operation includes freezing bank accounts, seizing properties linked to suspected gang leaders, and regulating the boda boda sector, which authorities say has been exploited by criminals. He further announced plans to require all riders to join Saccos and operate within designated zones and hours. Additional security measures include boosted border patrols along Lake Victoria to curb smuggling and unregulated fishing, as well as a joint Kenya–Uganda framework to protect fisherfolk and stop the inflow of contraband goods, including adulterated alcohol.
Beyond enforcement, the government says it is confronting the social dynamics that fuel substance abuse and insecurity. Murkomen highlighted the high rates of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the region and linked harmful cultural practices—such as disco matanga and wife inheritance—to escalating violence and addiction. He noted that the state is incorporating students, boda boda groups, beach management units, and community leaders into local security committees to strengthen grassroots involvement. As the nationwide alcohol crackdown continues, officials say Kisumu’s alarming ranking underscores the urgency for coordinated interventions that address both crime and the underlying social pressures affecting thousands of households in the county.