Police, DCI Praised Despite Different Statements On Ksh13 M Slum Raid

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) on Wednesday, August 16 lauded the National Police Service (NPS) regarding the millions of shillings and marijuana consignment seized during a raid in a slum within Ngara, Nairobi.

During the crackdown, about 30 bags of marijuana, 173 portions of blended bhang together with 42 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each were recovered. Also seized was approximately Ksh13 million in cash stuffed in sacks.

"NACADA would like to commend the officers drawn from the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) and the Transnational Organised Crime Unit involved in this operation.

"In addition, this is a demonstration of the effectiveness of prompt coordination, synergy and execution of operations among government agencies in line with the one-government approach," stated NACADA Acting CEO John Muteti in a statement seen by Viral Tea.

NACADA went on to reiterate that the fight against alcohol and drug abuse is multi-pronged and calls upon all stakeholders including members of the public to play their role in supporting it through volunteering relevant information to authorities for prompt and decisive action.

The statement comes hours after Kenyans were left perplexed regarding inconsistencies in statements issued by NPS and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) regarding the total amount of money recovered during the operation.

While the NPS was the first to report on social media that Ksh12,975,000 was recovered in the sacks, DCI's statement of Ksh13.4 million recovered from the sacks sent Kenyans wallowing in confusion regarding who was telling the truth.

The difference between the two amounts shared on the authorities' respective social media accounts amounted to Ksh425,000, a disparity that both NPS and the DCI were still yet to account for.

The DCI, headed by Director General Amin Mohamed, is an investigative agency under the National Police Service (NPS) led by Inspector General of the Police Japhet Koome. 

Another point to note was that while the NPS only shared the copious bundles of Ksh1,000 notes recovered from the sacks, DCI in their photos revealed that the money was counted using a money counter machine synonymous with financial institutions such as banks. 

Even though both agencies asserted that the money was stashed in two sacks in one of the houses, the NPS did not reveal how exactly it arrived at the Ksh12.98 million account.

"What has happened to the remaining money? Where did it go?"

"Where has 0.5m gone in just a matter of hours?" questioned hawk-eyed Kenyans on Twitter.

During the crackdown, four suspects namely, Eugene Jumba, Hillary Jumbo, Sheila Withers and Teresa Wanjiru were arrested with the assortment of drugs.

DCI published a mugshot photo of 54-year-old, Teresia Wanjiru, which immediately became a fodder for trolls, turning her into an internet sensation overnight.

A mugshot photo of 54-year-old, Teresia Wanjiru who was arrested in an operation against illegal drug trafficking on August 15, 2023. /DCI

After a thorough interrogation, the four were arraigned in court on Wednesday, August 16 and may face up to 10 years in jail or a fine of up to Ksh250,0000.

Detectives will seal the money, either Ksh12 million or Ksh13 million, in an evidence bag labelled with key details such as the case number, date of seizure and suspect's identity before presenting it in court. 

Before that, the detectives will conduct forensic investigations on the cash to collect more evidence, such as fingerprints and DNA, and ascertain whether the money is legit or counterfeit.