A coordinated operation led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has uncovered Sh14 million worth of counterfeit liquor in Kitui County, just a day after authorities dismantled a major illegal distillery nearby.
The seizure, which involved multiple agencies working together, underscores the ongoing threat posed by illicit alcohol in the region.
The raid, conducted overnight following fresh intelligence, targeted a warehouse on the outskirts of Kitui town. Officers recovered more than 57,000 bottles of poisonous, falsely branded liquor alongside chemicals used to produce the illegal drinks.
Investigators say the haul is linked to the same criminal network behind Tuesday’s operation in Wikililye.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Antony Omerikwa said the discovery reflects the deep entrenchment of the illicit alcohol trade. He warned that authorities will continue to crack down on those profiting from products that endanger lives.
“The audacity of these merchants of death, peddling poison to our children, our brothers, and our sisters, ends now,” Dr. Omerikwa declared.
“This Sh14 million seizure is not just a statistic; it is a cargo of potential corpses intercepted. We will not stand by as these unscrupulous vampires profit from the destruction of our social fabric,” he added.
The NACADA boss emphasized the agency’s determination to pursue all individuals involved in the illegal supply chain.
“Let there be no ambiguity. Our commitment to weeding out this filth from the community is total and non-negotiable. We will use every tool, every law, and every resource at our disposal to hunt down these criminals. We will dismantle their networks, seize their ill-gotten wealth, and ensure they face the full, unforgiving force of the law,” he said.
The suspects are currently in custody at Kitui Police Station as investigations continue, with authorities confident that the ongoing crackdown will lead to further successes in breaking up the network.
