The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has seized 1,843 bottles of counterfeit alcohol and arrested a female proprietor following a multi-agency operation in Kitui Town, as authorities intensify efforts to curb illicit brews during the school holiday period.
The raid, conducted on April 16, 2026 at around 9:00 a.m., targeted a wines and spirits outlet identified as a key distribution point for counterfeit alcoholic products.
Officers also recovered 80 litres of suspected ethanol stored in four 20-litre jerricans, with the total haul estimated to be worth Sh200,000.
According to NACADA, the suspect—believed to be the proprietor of the outlet—was taken into custody and booked at Kitui Police Station pending further investigations.
Authorities said the seized products will undergo forensic analysis by the Government Chemist, while prosecution will be pursued in collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
The operation, which was based on actionable intelligence, also involved searches at two additional shops linked to the suspect, highlighting what officials described as a coordinated network dealing in counterfeit alcohol.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting the public, particularly during school holidays when children and youth are more vulnerable.
“During this period when learning institutions are closed and children and youth are home for the holidays, the Authority is extra vigilant and fully enforcing the President’s directive on the fight against drug abuse,” he said.
“We will not allow counterfeit alcohol syndicates to poison our people or exploit our young generation. Let no parent think that because schools are out, we are off duty. We are more alert than ever,” Omerikwa added.
The Authority warned that counterfeit alcohol poses significant health risks, damages legitimate businesses, and results in loss of government revenue through tax evasion.
NACADA also urged members of the public to report suspicious outlets as part of ongoing nationwide surveillance, including the deployment of plainclothes officers.
All recovered exhibits are currently undergoing forensic processing as investigations continue. Authorities say the suspect is expected to face multiple charges once the analysis is complete.