Seized illicit brew/NPSPolice in Laikipia county have seized 1,260 litres of suspected illicit brew during a raid on a suspected chang’aa brewing den along the Kangaitha River in Nanyuki.
Officers from Nanyuki Police Station conducted the operation after receiving information from members of the public about suspected illegal brewing activities in the area.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), officers raided the premises and found a large quantity of suspected illicit alcohol believed to have been produced and stored there.
"During the raid, officers seized 63 twenty-litre plastic containers filled with kangara, amounting to approximately 1,260 litres of the illicit brew," the NPS said in a statement.
The operation is part of an ongoing crackdown on the production and distribution of illicit alcohol in Laikipia county, with police targeting brewing activities at their source.
The NPS said members of the public have continued to support enforcement efforts by providing information on suspected brewing and distribution networks.
The latest seizure comes days after police shut down another chang’aa brewing operation along the Likii River in Laikipia county.
Officers from Nanyuki Police Station conducted the operation on August 13, 2026, recovering thousands of litres of suspected illicit brew and equipment believed to have been used in its production.
The NPS said officers found an established distillation setup comprising six 100-litre metallic drums, six jikos, six aluminium sufurias and six metallic basins.
They also recovered 12 plastic drums, each with a capacity of 210 litres, containing approximately 2,520 litres of kangara.
The kangara was destroyed at the scene, while about 100 litres of chang’aa packed in five 20-litre plastic jerricans were seized.
“The National Police Service continues to take action against the manufacture, distribution and consumption of illicit brews,” the service said.
Police said investigations were ongoing to establish those behind the brewing operation and facilitate their arrest.
In a separate operation in Kisumu county, police arrested two people and recovered about 160 litres of suspected illicit brew in Dirubi village.
Officers from Maraboi Police Post, working with National Government Administration Officers, raided a homestead suspected of being linked to illicit alcohol production.
Police said they found about 100 litres of kangara and 60 litres of chang’aa at the premises, alongside equipment believed to have been used in their production.
The two suspects were taken to Maraboi Police Post pending further investigations and their expected arraignment.
The recovered equipment and suspected illicit brew were also secured at the police facility as investigations continued.
Residents have been urged to report suspected illegal activities to the nearest police station or through designated toll-free reporting numbers.
