Police in Homa Bay have intensified crackdown of bhang plantations in the Gwasi Hills, with over 40 acres of the illegal crop already uprooted and destroyed in ongoing operations within the Gwasi forest.
The forest, a gazetted water tower spanning over 6,000 acres in Suba South Constituency, has become a focal point for this intensive crackdown.
The latest operation, led by Suba Sub County Deputy County Commissioner Sebastian Okiring, uncovered 5 acres of bhang on Saturday.
Acting on a tip-off from local residents, authorities discovered the illegal crops planted in various parts of the hills.
The journey to the fields took officers several hours, highlighting the remote and challenging terrain they had to navigate.
“We have conducted operations in various parts of Gwasi Hills over the last two weeks and discovered over 40 acres of the illegal crop,” said Okiring.
He emphasized that the operations are ongoing and that two camps have been established at the foot of the Gwasi Hills in Kinchororio and Kithereka areas.
These camps aim to facilitate the complete eradication of the illegal crops.
In addition to uprooting the bhang, the DCC mentioned plans to collaborate with other government agencies and non-state actors to initiate massive tree planting efforts in the cleared areas.
Okiring highlighted the cooperation with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to set up permanent camps in the Gwasi Hills to prevent future encroachment and ensure the area’s preservation.
