Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a public engagement rally in Mundoro Township, Gatundu South Constituency, Kiambu County on October 6, 2026/ DPCSDeputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned dealers in illicit alcohol that the government will intensify the crackdown on harmful drinks, saying their days are numbered.
Kindiki said the government would pursue manufacturers and traders involved in producing or selling harmful alcoholic drinks and would not allow them to endanger the lives of Kenyans.
“Your days are numbered. We are coming for you. I assure you that we will not allow anyone to sell poisonous drinks in the name of alcohol to our people,” Kindiki said.
He said some people involved in the trade operate without formal premises and allegedly mix chemicals before selling the products to consumers.
“Some do not even have premises. They just mix chemicals and sell to Kenyans. We are coming for you. We have fought Al-Shabaab and bandits, we cannot be defeated by illicit alcohol traders,” he said.
Kindiki said the government had ordered inspections of alcohol manufacturing premises to establish whether they comply with quality and public health requirements before their products reach the market.
“We are going to inspect all the alcoholic manufacturers' premises to ensure that they are in compliance with quality and public health standards before they take their products to the market,” he said.
The Deputy President spoke during a public engagement rally in Mundoro Township, Gatundu South Constituency, Kiambu county, on Tuesday.
He said the crackdown would target those involved in the manufacture and sale of harmful drinks across the country, adding that the government would not allow the issue to be politicised.
Kindiki, who previously served as Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary, said the government had dealt with terrorism and banditry and would similarly pursue those involved in the illicit alcohol trade.
He said the government was particularly concerned about the impact of harmful alcohol on young people, including its effects on their health.
Kindiki said senior security officials had already held meetings on the issue and that further consultations would be held as the government steps up enforcement.
He said the fight was not against alcohol that meets established standards but against drinks that are manufactured or distributed outside the required standards and pose a risk to consumers.
The warning comes amid renewed government efforts to curb illicit alcohol and substance abuse, particularly following concerns over harmful brews in parts of the Mt Kenya region.
Kindiki said recent deaths linked to harmful drinks in Kiambu and earlier cases in Kirinyaga had demonstrated the need for stronger enforcement.
“We lost our people recently here in Kiambu and previously in Kirinyaga. We will not allow anyone to threaten the lives of Kenyans through sale of harmful drinks,” he said.
He urged security agencies and other relevant authorities to enforce the law against those involved in the manufacture and distribution of harmful alcoholic drinks.
Kindiki said the government would continue with the crackdown across the country and called on political leaders to stay out of the enforcement process.
