Mukunji said the government must intensify enforcement against manufacturers and distributors while going after financiers and cartels behind the illegal trade.
The legislator, who is also the chairperson of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, said the widespread consumption of illicit and adulterated liquor was particularly threatening Kenya's youthful population.
He cited the recent deaths of four young people in Kangaru, Manyatta Constituency, saying the tragedy had exposed the devastating human cost of illicit brews.
“We cannot build the Kenya we aspire to with a generation of young people whose lives are being lost to illicit alcohol, or whose voices are being compromised through it and we must never allow alcohol to become a tool for buying political loyalty or undermining our free will to vote,” Mukunji said.
“I therefore urge the State to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take decisive action to protect both the lives of our young people and the integrity of our democracy.”
Mukunji called for a multi-agency crackdown involving the Interior Ministry, police, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, county governments, KRA and KEBS.
He urged the Interior Ministry to intensify operations against illicit alcohol dens and trace the financiers and networks behind their production and distribution.
The MP also called on Parliament to strengthen laws and impose stiffer penalties on those involved in the trade, while urging county governments to revoke licences of non-compliant outlets and shut down illegal dens.
“Parliament should support strengthening of legislation targeting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of illicit alcohol, including stiffer penalties for producers and distributors who target minors and youth,”
He further warned against the use of alcohol to manipulate voters, saying leaders must reject the use of intoxicants and other inducements in political campaigns.
Mukunji urged the State to treat the illicit alcohol crisis as an urgent national threat and take decisive action to protect young people and communities.
The concerns come at National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has launched a major crackdown on fake and unsafe liquor across the country.
In an official statement released on September 1, 2026, the authority confirmed that it is closely monitoring public concern regarding "counterfeit, fake, and unsafe alcoholic products being manufactured, distributed, sold, and consumed across the country."
The authority revealed that it is working alongside other government agencies to verify reports submitted by members of the public.
The goal of this joint effort is "to ensure prompt action by the multi-agency teams across the country."
A targeted multi-agency operation conducted between August 20 and August 31, 2026, focused heavily on Nairobi County. According to the agency, Nairobi is "disproportionately affected by illicit alcohol and counterfeiting."
During the ten-day operation, multi-agency teams combed through eight sub-counties.
The targeted areas included Roysambu, Kasarani, Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South, Starehe, Lang'ata, Embakasi West, and Kamukunji.
The crackdown yielded immediate results. Officials recorded 11 arrests and seized significant quantities of illicit alcoholic beverages.
The inspection uncovered severe regulatory breaches within the market. Officers uncovered "counterfeit KRA excise stamps, uncoded alcoholic products, expired alcoholic beverages, and counterfeit products."
Nacada Chief Executive Officer Dr Anthony Omerikwa stated that the authority is collaborating with key state organs. . These include the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and the National Police Service.
