Murang’a and Taita Taveta counties saw a major crackdown on counterfeit alcohol and narcotics over the weekend, with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) seizing large quantities of illicit products and arresting multiple suspects.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with the National Police Service and National Government Administration Officers, is part of a broader government effort to curb the distribution of unsafe alcohol and illegal drugs, which authorities say pose a significant public health risk.
In Murang’a County, the crackdown began on Friday evening in Kahuro Sub-County following intelligence on outlets suspected of selling counterfeit alcohol.
Officers found some premises empty, likely tipped off in advance, but still recovered 10 crates of suspected fake alcohol and arrested two individuals.
The enforcement effort intensified on Saturday with a raid on a major distributor in Murarandia Market Centre, where authorities seized 216 crates and four cartons of spirits suspected to carry counterfeit Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excise stamps.
A separate compliance check in Kahatia Market resulted in four more arrests and the confiscation of 115 bottles of alcohol.
Meanwhile, in Taita Taveta County, NACADA-led teams targeted both illicit brews and narcotics.
In the Maryland area of Mwatate, officers raided a residential house, arresting three suspects and recovering 29 rolls of cannabis and sacks believed to have been used for transport.
Illegal brew dens in Voi’s ‘Tanzania’ slums and the Shakahola area of Mwatate were also raided, with over 500 litres of an illicit drink locally known as ‘Mpasho’ destroyed on site.
NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa said the weekend’s results highlight a renewed national commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in alcohol and drug trafficking.
“The counterfeit alcohol kingpins and drug traffickers are falling one by one as the Authority steadily moves to ensure a country that is safe from the harms associated with alcohol and drug use,” he said.
Omerikwa added that traffickers are adopting new, desperate tactics to evade law enforcement, but the authority remains vigilant.
All suspects remain in custody pending arraignment.
