Police in Homa Bay County, have intensified their crackdown on cannabis cultivation in the Gwasi hills. So far, more than 40 acres of the illegal crop have been uprooted and destroyed as part of ongoing operations in the Gwasi forest. This forest, a gazetted water tower, spans over 6,000 acres in Suba South Constituency.
In the current operation, led by Suba Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner, Sebastian Okiring, over 40 acres of bhang were found on the hilltop.
Officers received a tip from locals on Saturday, informing them that there were five acres of bhang grown throughout the hills.
It took several hours for the officers to reach the fields. Okiring mentioned that over the past two weeks, they have carried out operations across various parts of Gwasi Hills, uncovering more than 40 acres of the illegal crops.
The DCC noted that they have established two camps at the base of Gwasi Hills, in the Kinchororio and Kithereka areas, with the aim of eradicating all the illegal crops planted throughout the hills.
He added that they are collaborating with other government agencies and non-state actors to initiate large-scale tree planting in the areas where the bhang has been uprooted. Additionally, they are working closely with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to set up camps in Gwasi Hills to prevent further encroachment.