SIGEI, NYASEDA'S SILENCE ON DRUG ABUSE A BETRAYAL

Nairobi

Last week, we highlighted a case of wanton drugs sale that is going on on
one of the streets of Nairobi. The anonymous Kenyan who alerted us of the
problem also made us understand that the police were aware of it and they
regularly visited the area where they allegedly collect some pay-offs.

They were thus doing nothing about it.

We called upon the National Co-ordinator of the Campaign Against Drug Abuse
(Nacada), Mr Joseph Kaguthi, the Nairobi PC, Mr Francis Sigei and the
Police Commissioner, Mr Edwin Nyaseda, to get to the root of the case and
arrest it.

Yesterday, we carried a response from Kaguthi. He seems to be the only
person whose conscience was touched by the story. We have had no response
from Nyaseda who perhaps does not think it has anything to do with the law
and we have heard nothing from Sigei who perhaps does not think that it is
within his jurisdiction to comment or act on such matters.

We do not want to ask the simple question that must be on the minds of all
those that are concerned about drugs problem in our country, which is: what
happened to public service? To service geared towards safeguarding the
well-being of the society? If Sigei can't talk and he is the PC and Nyaseda
can't act and he is the police commissioner, on whose hands has the fate of
this capital city, this nation, been left?

Kaguthi made it clear that he is not a law enforcer. His mandate does not
include drug supply reduction. "Powers in this area rest with the police,
public health, provincial administration, local authorities . . . " he said
in his response. he has done his bit.

Those who read his response came face to face with a man who is taking his
work seriously but whose efforts are hampered by the levity with which
other arms of the Government are treating matters of national importance.

Kaguthi made it clear that for this problem to be effectively solved, drug
abuse should be reported to senior police officers and even the administration.

But dear Kenyans, if Nyaseda and Sigei can't see the magnitude of the
problem we are facing and promptly do their bit what answer do people like
Kaguthi and other Kenyans of goodwill have to this problem? The two
leaders' silence is a betrayal to a besieged nation.