More than 700 kilograms of cannabis worth over Sh18 million and 500 kilograms of illegal sugar valued at about KSh700,000 were destroyed in Kisii following court orders.

Speaking during the exercise at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, Chief Magistrate Mildred Obura said the destruction was aimed at ensuring the illegal items never return to the public.

She said some of the exhibits had been stored in court premises and government institutions since 2018, taking up valuable space.

“We want to ensure that these illegal drugs and illegal sugar are not released back into society. We also want to create space in our court stores and remind the public about the dangers of illegal drugs and hazardous materials,” said Obura.

NEMA Kisii County Director Simon Tonui said the destroyed items were safely disposed of through incineration, which protects both the environment and human health.

He explained that the incinerator burns waste at temperatures between 600 and 1,200 degrees Celsius, making it safer than open burning.

Kisii Central Sub-County DCI Officer George Etiyang’ said the illegal sugar had remained in police custody since 2018. He added that cases involving drugs and illegal sugar had reduced compared to previous years.

Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui said the destruction marked the end of the chain of custody for the exhibits and strengthened public confidence in law enforcement.

He urged residents to work together with security agencies to eliminate drugs from society.

Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Oimeke Marita said drug abuse was causing serious mental health problems among young people.

He noted that Ward 10 at the hospital is filled with many young patients suffering from mental illness linked to drug abuse, adding that treatment is expensive and takes a long time.