Stern action will be taken against police officers aiding illegal gaming businesses, Northeastern regional commissioner John Otieno has warned.
He oversaw the destruction of 28 gaming machines and shisha buzzers at the Garissa dumpsite.
“I want to assure the citizens that action will be taken against any officer involved in the gaming machine business. This will stop because no officer will continue with that kind of business,” Otieno said.
“Gambling is very addictive and most of the people involved in this kind of gambling are children and criminals. According to the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, these machines are illegal and that’s why we will do a crackdown and destroy them all.”
He said security agencies are working tirelessly in the fight against drug abuse and gaming.
Nacada regional manager for Northeastern Rev Wangai Gachoka said most of the confiscated gaming machines belonged to police officers.
“We are asking that let the law enforcers stop the conflict of interest because we cannot be breaking the laws we are supposed to be enforcing,” he said.
“Let us uphold the law so that as we do these kinds of crackdowns against drug abuse and gaming, we have the moral authority to do so.”
Otieno was joined by Garissa county commissioner Boaz Cherutich and county and regional security committee members.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya