This archive report was first published on 1 July 2019.
On Sunday, police in Murang'a County stormed a hotel in Kenol town, arresting 83 people who were allegedly participating in a bhang competition.
According to Murang'a South Sub-County Police Commander John Ondit, the suspects had planned the competition at a popular joint and were charging entry fees of at least two rolls of bhang.
"Members of public assisted us in nabbing the suspects who had a party dubbed Rastafarian Party," Ondit told the Nation on July 1, 2019. "For one to be allowed in the hotel, he had to buy at least two rolls of bhang; we have initiated a crackdown to arrest more after bhang uptake has risen in the area," he added.
The police boss also revealed that drug peddlers in the region have changed their tactics to attract new clients, but assured that the authorities have information that will lead them to the notorious vendors.
He called on locals to help the police in the fight against drug abuse, citing cases of school-going children abusing drugs and pretending to be Akorinos and Rastafarians to easily identify their clients.
"Some are pretending to be Akorinos and others Rastafarians with bhang related contents in their dressings for easier identification by their clients, but we are going for them," Ondit said.
The 83 suspects will be arraigned in Kigumo on Monday.
