A multi-agency security team led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) carried out a pre-dawn raid on three outlets linked to counterfeit alcohol in Kapsabet town, Nandi County, seizing large quantities of illicit brews and arresting one suspect.
The operation involved officers from the National Police Service and targeted premises described by authorities as notorious distribution points.
Officers recovered large quantities of alcohol believed to have been smuggled into the country and packaged in plastic bottles and sachets. They also seized hundreds of cartons of suspected counterfeit spirits.
The recovered consignment, estimated to be worth millions of shillings, was taken to Kapsabet Police Station and placed under safe custody. It will be subjected to analysis by the government chemist as investigations continue.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr Anthony Omerikwa said the main suspect escaped arrest but is well known to authorities. A vehicle belonging to the suspect was impounded during the raid and found loaded with consignments of illicit alcohol.
“The individual we are pursuing is not new to this illegal trade. He has been on our radar,” Dr Omerikwa said.
He added that the Authority, working with other agencies, would move to recover assets linked to the trade.
“The Authority, in conjunction with other agencies, will immediately commence comprehensive asset recovery processes with the ultimate goal of forfeiture. We are determined to hit these cartels where it hurts most—their finances,” he said.
Dr Omerikwa said intelligence assessments have identified Nandi County as a hotspot for the consumption of illicit and toxic alcohol. He noted that enforcement efforts are shifting to dismantle networks behind production and distribution.
“Our intelligence-led operations are now squarely focused on nabbing the main manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of this poison. The goal is unequivocal: to rid Nandi County of this menace that is destroying families and killing our youth,” he said.
The raid comes amid growing concern over alcohol-related deaths reported in parts of the county. In recent months, families in several villages have linked fatalities to the consumption of cheap illicit brews suspected to contain toxic additives, including methanol.
Authorities say these cases underscore the public health risks posed by the illegal trade.
An area leader who witnessed the operation welcomed the crackdown and urged sustained enforcement.
“These outlets are death traps. Our young people are consuming poison, and we are losing a generation,” the leader said. “We commend this operation and urge even more sustained action.”
Residents who gathered at the scene echoed the call for firm measures and permanent closure of outlets linked to illicit alcohol. The Kapsabet operation signals an escalation in enforcement in the North Rift, with authorities indicating a tougher phase focused on seizures, asset recovery and prosecutions aimed at dismantling the trade.
