NAIROBI, Kenya, June 17 – The Government has intensified surveillance along major transport corridors following the interception of a passenger bus carrying narcotics, amid growing concerns that organised drug traffickers are increasingly exploiting public transport networks to move illegal substances across the country.
The National Assembly was informed that police officers acting on intelligence intercepted a Guardian Angel bus travelling from Ugunja to Nairobi and recovered cannabis worth nearly Sh200,000 concealed among passenger luggage.
The disclosure was made in a response from the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to a request for a statement by West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka. The response was delivered by Lari MP Kahangara Mburu on behalf of committee chairperson and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo.
According to the committee, officers stopped bus registration number KDN 389J, an Isuzu bus operated by Guardian Angel, along the Kisumu-Kericho Highway and recovered five bales of suspected cannabis sativa weighing 6.6 kilogrammes each.
“Following intelligence information, police officers intercepted a bus registration number KDN 389J, an Isuzu make bus belonging to Guardian Angel, which was travelling from Ugunja to Nairobi. They recovered five bales of dry plant material suspected to be cannabis sativa valued at approximately Sh198,000,” Mburu told the House.
The narcotics had allegedly been wrapped in yellow tape and were found in the possession of a passenger identified as Daniel Omondi.
“The suspect was arrested, processed and later arraigned before the Nyando Law Courts,” the committee stated.
The case is currently before the court under case numbers 602/32/2026 and E162/2026.Parliament was further informed that the recovered exhibits were documented and forwarded to the Government Chemist in Kisumu for forensic analysis.
Investigations remain ongoing, with detectives seeking to establish the source of the drugs, identify other individuals involved and determine the full scope of the trafficking network.
“Investigations are ongoing, focusing on establishing the source of the narcotic drugs, identifying those responsible and determining the full extent of the trafficking network involved,” Mburu said.
Security agencies are also investigating whether the seizure was an isolated incident or part of a wider organised trafficking operation using strategic transport routes linking the Coast, Nyanza and other regions.
“Security and law enforcement agencies are carrying out investigations to establish whether this was a one-off incident or if there exists an organised drug trafficking network exploiting strategic transport corridors,” the committee reported.
The revelations come amid growing concern over the use of long-distance passenger vehicles to ferry narcotics to major urban centres.
To counter the trend, the Government has rolled out a series of measures, including round-the-clock multi-agency roadblocks along the Kisumu-Kericho Highway, particularly in the Ahero and Nyando areas.
“Our key measures include the introduction of 24-hour surveillance and multi-agency roadblocks along the Kisumu-Kericho Highway and strengthening compliance inspections and enforcement operations targeting public transport vehicles,” Mburu said.
Transport operators and vehicle crews are also being trained to identify and report suspicious cargo, while transport SACCOs have been encouraged to scrutinise parcels and goods collected at bus stops and along transit routes.
The Government further announced the deployment of additional anti-narcotics officers at transport terminals and strategic transit points, alongside the gradual expansion of canine detection units.
“There is progressive enhancement of canine units at selected points of entry, transport hubs and high-risk transit points to improve the detection of illicit drugs,” the committee said.
Lawmakers were also told that authorities are implementing measures to protect children and young people from exposure to narcotics through transport systems. These include public awareness campaigns, crackdowns on drug peddlers operating near schools and transport hubs, and stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies and child welfare institutions.
“The Government continues to implement a range of preventive measures aimed at protecting children and young persons from exposure to narcotic drugs,” Mburu said.
The interventions include strengthening reporting mechanisms for suspected drug-related activities involving minors and integrating drug prevention programmes into schools and community initiatives.
To tackle the broader drug menace, particularly among the youth, the Government said it has adopted a multi-sectoral approach combining prevention, enforcement, treatment, rehabilitation and research.
The strategy includes strengthening the Anti-Narcotics Unit, enhancing intelligence gathering and cross-border cooperation, operationalising national and county-level multi-agency teams, and expanding access to rehabilitation services.
“Through enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance, operations and inter-agency collaboration, several trafficking networks have been disrupted, narcotic drug seizures made and suspects prosecuted,” the committee noted.
However, Mogaka expressed dissatisfaction with the committee’s response, questioning why the report appeared to focus solely on Guardian Angel buses despite previous investigations involving other transport companies.
“I would want to understand why the report is confined to only the Guardian Angel Company,” he said.
The MP also sought clarification on the status of three vehicles reportedly impounded during earlier anti-narcotics operations, arguing that Parliament had not been updated on whether forfeiture provisions under the law had been enforced.
“Section 20(2) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act provides for forfeiture of vessels involved in the transportation of narcotic drugs. I have not heard from the committee what happened to the three motor vehicles that were originally impounded,” he said.
Mogaka urged the committee to explain whether the forfeiture provisions had been applied and to provide details on other transport companies allegedly linked to previous investigations.
The legislator also alleged that he had faced intimidation after publicly raising concerns about drug trafficking.
“For the record, I wish to state that one of the individuals associated with the Guardian Angel Transport Company confronted me at a funeral in my constituency with goons, telling me to leave him alone. That is why I believe drug traffickers can kill,” he told the House.
Mogaka stressed the need to guarantee the safety of students who rely on public transport to travel to schools and colleges.
“Because our children use that means of transport when going to and from school and colleges, it is extremely important that their safety is guaranteed,” he said.
He further linked the growing drug problem to broader social challenges affecting young people, including rising cases of unrest in learning institutions.
The Government, however, maintained that it remains committed to dismantling trafficking networks, protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to combat drug abuse and trafficking.
“It is to reiterate that the Government remains committed to safeguarding the public from the threat posed by narcotic drugs and will continue to strengthen collaboration efforts among all stakeholders to prevent trafficking, protect vulnerable populations and promote a drug-free society,” the committee stated.
