A recent report from the National Crime Research Centre has identified multiple cannabis trafficking routes used to smuggle bhang into Kenya. The routes, classified into three categories—Ethiopian, Tanzanian, and Ugandan—ultimately lead to urban centers such as Nairobi and Mombasa.
The report details 19 trafficking routes, with traffickers employing various tactics to avoid detection, including the use of hidden paths along highways, lakes, and forests. Traffickers frequently adjust their routes and rely on a network of informants to stay ahead of law enforcement. These clandestine routes, referred to as “panya routes,” allow for the stealthy movement of cannabis across Kenya.
Police officers in regions like Mombasa and Nakuru describe how traffickers employ strategic shifts in their movements to avoid detection. For instance, traffickers transporting cannabis from Moyale to Nairobi once took a diversion through Garissa, Thika, and Nakuru to elude authorities.
Despite efforts by Kenyan authorities to combat the trafficking—such as intelligence operations, surveillance, and temporary roadblocks—traffickers continue to adapt, making it a persistent challenge for law enforcement.
The trafficking routes span across three major countries:
Ethiopian Routes: Major routes from Ethiopia enter Kenya via Moyale and wind through towns like Mandera, Garissa, and Mombasa, as well as through Marsabit, Isiolo, and Nairobi.
Tanzanian Routes: Cannabis is transported from Tanzania through Migori, Kisii, and other western Kenya areas before reaching urban centers like Nairobi and Mombasa.
Ugandan Routes: Traffic from Uganda uses border points like Busia and Malaba, converging in major cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa, with some shipments passing through Kisumu, Kericho, and Nakuru.
Kenya’s law enforcement remains vigilant but faces an ongoing challenge to disrupt these adaptive trafficking networks.
