Authorities today carried out a massive crackdown on illicit alcohol production in Kakamega County, seizing thousands of litres of illegal brews and arresting three suspects in what officials described as a “surgical strike” against the trade.
The joint operation, conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Kakamega County Police Command, targeted brewing hubs in Malinya, Sigalagala, and Musingu villages in Kakamega South. Acting on intelligence reports, officers raided multiple premises, uncovering large-scale brewing setups capable of producing thousands of litres weekly for distribution across several counties.
During the raid, law enforcement seized 7,000 litres of illicit alcohol and destroyed 70,000 litres of Kangara, a fermented substance used in the production of chang’aa. The three suspects arrested at the scene were taken to Kakamega Police Station, where they face charges related to the production and distribution of unlicensed alcoholic beverages.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa said the operation was part of the agency’s renewed commitment under the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative, as directed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. He stressed the urgency of the fight against illicit brews, warning that the average age of alcohol initiation in Kenya has dropped to just seven years.
“These operations are not one-offs. We will continue dismantling these illegal networks and targeting bars operating with dubious licenses. The safety and health of our communities, particularly our children, are at stake,” Dr. Omerikwa said.
He urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to remain vigilant, especially during school holidays, when children are more vulnerable to exposure to alcohol and other drugs.
Community leaders in Musingu village welcomed the crackdown, saying the proliferation of illicit brews had long contributed to rising crime and health problems among the youth. One elder expressed hope that the move marked the start of sustained enforcement.
Authorities vowed to extend similar operations to other counties identified as hotspots for illegal alcohol production, promising that anyone involved—whether as a brewer, distributor, or corrupt licensing official—would face the full force of the law.
This latest crackdown comes amid growing public pressure for the government to curb the trade, which has been blamed for destroying families, causing deaths, and fueling social instability in many parts of Kenya.
