President Ruto Proposes Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers, Gains Governor's Support - January 2026

President William Ruto has proposed changing laws to allow for the execution of drug traffickers, stating that current laws do not provide adequate punishment for such crimes. He announced strict new laws to combat drug trafficking in Kenya. In response, Mombasa Governor Abdulswammad publicly supported President Ruto's call to implement the death penalty for drug traffickers. Governor Abdulswammad also announced his commitment to collaborating with the national government in the fight against drug abuse to tackle the pervasive issue of narcotics within his region.