Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Saturday the formation of the special police unit to deal with corruption and drug trafficking to help stamp out the two vices at the regional port.

Kenyatta directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Joseph Bonnet to immediately set up the independent unit.

The president said corruption and smuggling of drugs

 through the port of Mombasa is threatening the existence of the port that is key to growth of the country's economy.

He said the port's management should restore the reputation of the port, which has consistently been accused of corruption and being a conduit for trafficking.

Kenyatta said businessmen are colluding with police, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) officials to divert containers from the port and transit cargo.

He said the government will deal firmly with corrupt government and parastatal officials operating cartels at the port that has cost the taxman million in revenue losses.

Source : XINHUA