Police have arrested 19 suspects and seized 770 litres of illicit brew during an intelligence-led raid at a homestead in Misuuni Village, Mumbuni Location, Machakos.

In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) said officers from Machakos Police Station conducted the operation on August 15, 2026, recovering 60 litres of chang’aa, 710 litres of kang’ara and chemicals believed to be used in brewing.

Police also recovered 25 kilogrammes of ammonium chloride, 10 kilogrammes of sugar and assorted brewing equipment.

According to the NPS, the 19 suspects were taken to Machakos Police Station and held pending arraignment in court.

The recovered brews and equipment were kept as exhibits.

"The operation is part of efforts to curb the production, distribution and consumption of illicit alcohol," NPS said.

The seizure follows other operations targeting suspected illegal brewing sites in different parts of the country.

In June, police recovered 600 litres of molasses, 20 litres of chang’aa and brewing equipment during an operation along the Ngomeni River in Machakos County. The NPS said surveillance had identified the area as a suspected hub for illegal alcohol production.

On August 15, police in Laikipia County 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 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 raids come amid a nationwide government crackdown on illicit alcohol and drug abuse.

On September 24, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said 3,331 people had been arrested and 675,505 litres of illicit alcohol seized since President William Ruto directed the government to intensify the campaign in January.

Murkomen said 385,875 litres of the seized alcohol had been destroyed by that date. He also announced plans to target assets and premises allegedly used to facilitate the illicit trade.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has also called for tougher enforcement against harmful alcoholic drinks, warning that government officials found aiding their manufacture or sale would face legal consequences.

Kindiki said security and regulatory agencies had been directed to scale up operations and work with communities to identify those involved in the trade.

The NPS urged members of the public to report suspected illegal activities to the nearest police station or through the emergency numbers 999 and 911.

Information can also be shared through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ toll-free hotline, 0800 722 203, or its WhatsApp number, 0709 570 000.

The service said public cooperation was important in efforts to disrupt the manufacture and distribution of illicit brews.