DNK International By Our Reporter,Mombasa.
Mombasa County was on Thursday thrust into the spotlight after Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale declined to proceed with the destruction of drug laced cigarettes following the discovery of serious irregularities in a consignment seized at the Port of Mombasa.
The Health CS was on an official visit to Changamwe to oversee the destruction of 1,430 cartons of Golden Royal cigarettes that were impounded in 2023 after being found laced with narcotic substances.
The destruction exercise was scheduled to take place at the Saafico Grounds under a multi-agency operation.
However, the exercise was abruptly halted after it emerged that only 1,000 cartons were available for destruction, while 430 cartons had already been cleared and released under unclear and questionable circumstances.
The unexplained discrepancy raised alarm among security and regulatory agencies, prompting the Cabinet Secretary to suspend the process.
“The integrity of public health and regulatory systems cannot be compromised,” Duale emphasized, reiterating a zero tolerance stance on interference, collusion, or breach of mandate by any agency involved in enforcement.
Those present during the visit and subsequent meeting included Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto, the County Security Team led by Hassan Noor, Changamwe Sub-County security officials, and representatives from various multi agency enforcement teams.
Several key concerns were noted, including unauthorized clearance of part of the seized consignment, interference by shipping lines and importers, and possible overstepping of mandates by some agencies involved in the handling of the cigarettes.
In response, the Cabinet Secretary issued firm directives, ordering immediate investigations under the leadership of the County Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
He directed that the final investigation report be jointly signed by all participating agencies to ensure accountability and transparency.
Further, the DCI and the County Commissioner were tasked with verifying whether the 1,000 cartons presented for destruction are indeed the original seized consignment.
A comprehensive report is to be submitted through the Principal Secretary to enable fresh arrangements for the destruction exercise next week.
The CS also ordered a full health audit of all impounded products awaiting destruction and directed an immediate halt to any interference by shipping lines and importers in regulatory processes.
In a move aimed at restoring integrity, Duale announced an impending reshuffle of Ministry of Health staff attached to the Port Authority.
The incident has reignited concerns over port integrity, enforcement loopholes, and the safety of products entering the Kenyan market, with authorities now under pressure to account for the missing cartons and restore public confidence.
[DNK-International@January 30,2026]
