Police arrest 8 suspects over illicit brews in Rift Valley

Recovered illicit alcohol in Rift Valley / NPS X

Police in Uasin Gishu and Bomet counties have intensified crackdowns on illicit alcohol, arresting eight suspects and confiscating large quantities of illegal brew in separate operations on Sunday.

In Uasin Gishu, officers from Moiben Police Station raided Cheuta Village and apprehended two suspects found with an estimated 500 litres of kangara and brewing equipment.

The two are being held at the station pending arraignment.

In Bomet County, officers from Mulot Police Station, working jointly with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), mounted coordinated raids on illicit brew dens in Enelerai and Rongena sub-locations.

Six suspects were arrested and more than 60 litres of chang’aa and approximately 600 litres of kangara were seized.

The National Police Service said the operations illustrate ongoing efforts to disrupt the production and distribution of illicit alcohol.

According to them, the illicit brews fuels crime, health risks, and economic losses in communities.

The seizures come amid nationwide directives to step up enforcement against unlicensed distillers and vendors, particularly in rural regions where illicit brews remain prevalent.

Police indicated that similar operations are expected to continue.

On January 10, National Police announced a renewed nationwide crackdown on illicit brews.

Senior police commanders rallied officers in the Rift Valley in coordinated enforcement operations in Nandi County and parts of Western Kenya.

The raids led to the arrest of dozens of suspects and the destruction of thousands of litres of alcohol described by authorities as unlicensed or counterfeit.

Inspector General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja toured Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties as part of a general security review, with a particular focus on the escalating fight against harmful drugs and illicit brews.

The visit came against the backdrop of intensified operations by police units in multiple regions, following high-level government directives to stamp out the trade.

During the tour, the Inspector General met officers drawn from the two counties and underscored the urgency of the campaign, which he linked to recent national-level deliberations.

The appraisal, police said, “centred particularly on the renewed focus in the fight against harmful drugs and illicit brews,” an issue that has attracted the attention of President William Ruto.

The renewed push follows a multi-agency stakeholders’ meeting held at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, January 7, where a raft of measures was agreed upon with the aim of ridding the country of the harmful substances.

Kanja told officers that the government was fully committed to winning the war, and urged them to take stock of “the current status, achievements, and challenges” facing enforcement teams on the ground.

In his address to commanders, the IG directed that the multi-agency framework be strictly observed in all operations to ensure sustained success.

He reminded officers to remain “disciplined, steadfast, diligent, and committed” in the execution of their duties, stressing the importance of thorough briefings and debriefings.

He further noted that patriotism must remain at the core of police work, calling on commanders to “stand out” and serve the country to the best of their ability as the force moves to eradicate the vice.