Soldiers from the Kenya Navy who were patrolling Indian Ocean waters around Lamu burned khat worth more than US$200,000 that was heading to Somalia.
On Tuesday evening, the soldiers intercepted two boats that were carrying the consignment.
Authorities said the consignment was on its way to Somalia before Kenya Navy soldiers seized it at Barakuda area, which is roughly 100kms away from Lamu Island.
Irungu Macharia, the County Commissioner for Lamu, confirmed the incident. He clarified that the soldiers handed the khat over to officials from Kenya Coast Guard.
The consignment was then transferred to Manda Ras Kitau Beach where officials torched it.
Macharia said, “The culprits claimed that they were taking the khat to Kiunga Town. However, our investigations reveal that they were on their way to Somalia.”
The County Commissioner also clarified that khat is banned in Lamu County, especially as the government has put different measures in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19.