Uasin Gishu Officials Confiscate 1,500 Litres of Illicit Alcohol in County-Wide Enforcement Operation
An appeal has been made to residents to report any suspicious activities concerning alcohol, stating that such reporting will be essential to save their communities.
County Commander Benjamin Mwanthi. Photo/Courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Following a countywide operation last weekend, officials in Uasin Gishu County intensified the campaign against an illegal alcohol enterprise by destroying an estimated 1,500 litres of contraband brews and arresting 147 suspects. The massive operation targeted unlicensed storage facilities, brewing sites, and distribution points of liquor with growing public health and safety concerns regarding the exposure of youth to illegal alcohol, and especially near learning institutions.
The County Police Commander, Benjamin Mwanthi, said the operation came about from information from members of the public who relayed suspicious movements and activities pertaining to alcohol storage activities in the residential areas. Mwanthi said that the members of the public reported fast vehicle movements and unusual deliveries that required urgent intervention by security agencies.
Officers who raided the premises discovered a building that was being used as an illegal storage. In it, police recovered 1,406 boxes of assorted alcoholic products at an estimated KSh 5 million market value. Mwanthi noted that storing alcohol, especially spirits, in residences remains a breach of licensing laws with serious regulatory and safety implications.
Further investigations also revealed evidence of illegal repackaging activities inside the warehouse. Empty cartons, tapes, and packing materials indicated that the repackaging of alcohol, probably with counterfeit labels, was taking place. Some of the products appeared to look original, but fake stickers were thought to be used to confuse authorities and evade taxes, explained Mwanthi.
The enforcement was carried out by a cross-functional team involving multiple agencies including the County Government’s licensing department, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), and CABES, which are charged with establishing the authenticity, quality, and safety of the seized alcohol. Mwanthi confirmed that all recovered products will undergo a thorough inspection before further action is taken.
Public concern on safety was heightened given the proximity of the warehouse to several learning institutions, including a large polytechnic with over 20,000 students, being less than one kilometre away. Mwanthi said that granting illicit alcohol access close to schools and colleges represents a grave danger for the youths and the entire public.
In addition to the warehouse seizure, officers managed to recover 140 litres of alcohol buried underground and a further 100 litres hidden in open land nearby, demonstrating the extreme methods employed by illicit traders to cloak their operations. Mwanthi encouraged residents to continue sharing information with the authorities, emphasizing that cooperation from the community is crucial in the fight against the illicit alcohol trade.
Koiya Arap Maiyo, Director of the Uasin Gishu County Alcoholic Drinks Control Board, expressed grave concern regarding the case, confirming investigations are ongoing to establish where the alcohol came from, whether it was legal or illegal, and if it was safe for human consumption. He reiterated that both county and national laws obligate alcohol enterprises to work strictly from licensed premises approved by the county government.
Maiyo warned that it is illegal and dangerous to store alcohol in family residential homes. He further stated that until proven otherwise, all the seized consignment is being treated as illegal, asserting that there is no legal justification for maintaining such quantity in unlicensed premises.
In essence, he stated, illicit alcohol has broader social and economic implications, with loss of tax revenue being one among the many. According to Maiyo, illicit alcohol sales often target students and minors, thus causing long-lasting damage to families and communities.
A number of state agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the KRA, and the ACA, have been sent to support the investigations going on. Maiyo has commended the police and County Commander Mwanthi for their noble cause of enforcing laws on alcohol control and maintaining public order.
He reiterated that President William Ruto and Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii have adopted a hard stance with zero tolerance to call illegal activities in relation to alcohol. Maiyo went on to warn that the county will not serve as a hub for the storage, manufacture, or sale of illicit alcohol, adding that the government has the capacity to dismantle such networks.
The authorities have assured the residents that there will be continuous operations across the county and that all traders will have to strictly adhere to licensing and regulatory standards. Furthermore, a task force has commenced to ensure that public health gets protected, young people are shielded from harm, and compliant businesses are given fair competition.
The officials acknowledged that some people had turned to illegal alcohol trade because of the economic pressure, noting that whereas some withdraw after raids, others continue either out of ignorance or lack of alternative sources of livelihood. It is hoped that persistent enforcement together with public sensitization will derail illegal attacks and create room for legal enterprises.
The operation, thereby, reaffirms Uasin Gishu County’s commitment to consumer protection, public safety, and tax compliance, sending out a strong message that illegal trafficking of alcohol will not be accommodated. Authorities have warned that there shall be further raids, and those involved risk prosecution and severe penalties as per Kenyan law. An appeal has been made to residents to report any suspicious activities concerning alcohol, stating that such reporting will be essential to save their communities.
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