Governor Nassir, MP Ali clash over drugs fight in Coast

The drugs menace is quickly becoming a sticking point for Mombasa politicians as the government flexes its muscle to eradicate drug cartels and barons.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua last Monday issued a two-week ultimatum for security apparatus at the Coast to wipe out the drug cartels, accusing unnamed leaders of doing little to eradicate the problem.

However, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the national government has all the resources to end the problem, but it has been dilly-dallying and sleeping on the job.

Since then, Nassir and Nyali MP Mohammed Ali have been taking shots at each other over who is to blame for the menace and lack of decisive actions against it.

While Nassir plays victim saying the national government is unfairly blaming his administration for its own failures, Ali insists he should be happy the government has rolled up its sleeves ready to take the menace head-on. 

On Sunday, Nassir said the drugs issue is being used politically by the national government to step on people at the Coast.

“There are some elements questioning what the county government has done against drugs. First, this county took some youth for a motivational programme, where we have been monitoring them to ensure they are not in drugs,” Nassir said.

The governor said the county absorbed 3,000 youth for the Mombasa Yangu programme, where they would clean the streets and get paid to keep them busy and away from drugs.

Nassir said the county’s methadone programme helps drug addicts reduce the harm and gradually takes them away from substance abuse.

“These people in the national government, what have they done to help us in this disaster apart from insulting us, chiding us and treating us as fools?” he posed.

The governor said if the national government cannot deal with the drugs problem, they should allow the county to take up the matter.

“I have a whole assembly battalion that can make laws. Allow us to have guns and rat out those who are spoiling our children,” Nassir said.

He spoke in Kadongo, where they had a meeting over the land disputes in Mjambere ward at the invitation of MCA Amriya Boy.

However, on Monday, at the Redeemed Gospel Church in Magongo, Changamwe constituency, Ali said Nassir is crying wolf because they too can eradicate the drugs menace if they want, even without the help of the national government.

He said when DP Gachagua called on Mombasa and Coast leaders for a meeting to strategise on how to deal with the menace at the Mombasa ASK show ground, some leaders did not show up.

Ali said some leaders opted to send representatives, instead of being there themselves, taking a swipe at Nassir’s absence at the meeting.

The governor was represented by his deputy Francis Thoya.

“Yesterday and the day before yesterday, I hear in the media, leaders saying the government should arrest the people they know are dealing in drugs," Ali said.

“Instead of thanking the DP for bringing up this conversation and pledge to work together to eradicate the menace, you start bashing the DP, saying he has come to lecture you.” 

He said the fight against drugs has gone a notch higher and those in the business should start being worried.

The MP told Mombasa leaders to take lessons from leaders in Central, who have put aside their political differences and united in the fight against drugs and alcohol abuse.

“In Central, they have joined hands and destroyed all the illicit brews to save their children. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has shut down all illegal bars," Ali said.

“Here in Mombasa, you hear leaders saying, ‘I was raised this way, I was raised that way, my dad did not teach me this'. Even we have fathers who taught us well. The children of the poor must be saved.” 

He said the fight against drugs will be hotter than ever and those who cannot stand it should quit and surrender.

Ali said the drugs menace thrives in Mombasa and Coast and mostly affects the poor, because the leadership has not put in place proper infrastructure to help the youth develop.

“The drugs are affecting the proverbial Simon Makonde [poor man] because he has no school built for him, he has no road, he has no job and has no security,” the MP said.

Ali asked DP Gachagua and President William Ruto not to relent in the war against drugs.

“If it is possible, kill these drug dealers. Let them be hanged. They have killed many people’s children. We have no mercy on drug dealers," the MP said.

“If you are being sponsored for campaign by drug barons, your days are numbered.”