Police in Siaya County have recovered 990 litres of suspected chang’aa after responding to a road accident along the Ng’iya–Ndori Road, where a motorist fled the scene.
In a statement by the National Police Service, the seizure was made by officers from Kogelo Police Station in Siaya Sub-County at Uuna area, within South East Alego Location, following an accident involving a motor vehicle and a motorcycle.
According to police, the driver of the motor vehicle escaped immediately after the incident, raising suspicion among officers who rushed to the scene.
“Upon responding, officers recovered 18 sacks containing sachets of the suspected illicit brew,” the statement said. Of these, police found five sacks inside the abandoned vehicle, while thirteen others had been “concealed near the scene” in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The recovered chang’aa, estimated at 990 litres, was secured as investigations commenced. Police confirmed that “necessary action was taken, and the exhibits were secured in police custody” as part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal alcohol trade in the region.
Illicit brews such as chang’aa continue to pose serious public health and security risks, with authorities warning that their production and distribution often involve criminal networks that endanger communities. The latest recovery highlights the use of road transport and concealment tactics by suspected traffickers to move illegal alcohol across locations.
Investigators are now pursuing leads to identify and arrest those behind the consignment. “Investigations are ongoing to trace and apprehend the suspects involved,” police said, noting that the driver who fled the scene remains at large.
The National Police Service reiterated its commitment to tackling the menace, saying it “remains committed to sustaining and intensifying operations aimed at eliminating illicit brews and safeguarding public safety.”
The incident adds to a series of recent crackdowns targeting illicit alcohol across the country, as police step up enforcement to protect lives and maintain public order.
