A US State
Department report on international narcotics trafficking has cast a shadow over
Kenya and alleged that the drug trade is financing political campaigns in the
East African country.
The report
describes Kenya as a significant transit country for a variety of drugs
including heroin and cocaine.
The report also
says drug dealers use their money to fund political campaigns, buy influence
with government officials, law enforcement officers, politicians and the media.
The US State
Department is critical of authorities' efforts to combat international drug
trafficking, citing the country's weak investigation and prosecution record.
It warns
that drug money is corrupting many institutions in Kenya and weakening the
nation.
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| Kenyan security forces stand watch over a drug seizure |
The annual
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report by the Department of State to
the US Congress also notes an increase in methamphetamine and ephedrine
trafficking in African countries including Kenya.
According to
the report, drug traffickers are exploiting African nations on a considerably
large scale.
Heroin,
primarily from Afghanistan, typically arrives in ports in Tanzania, Kenya and
Mozambique from South West Asia and is then transported by land to South
Africa, Zambia and Botswana while some of the drug is trafficked via air to
Europe.
According to
the document, drug trafficking organizations take advantage of corruption
within the Kenyan government and business community.
Proceeds
from trafficking are further used to fuel the corruption of Kenyan
institutions, adversely impacting the lives of Kenyan citizens.