By F, KNA
Police in Uasin Gishu County have seized 1,140 bottles of counterfeit liquor and arrested three suspects following a raid on an illegal alcohol manufacturing site in Tarakwa area of Kesses Sub-County.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency at his office at Eldoret Central Police Station, Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi said the operation was conducted about one kilometre from Tarakwa Police Station.
Mwanthi said officers raided a house located in a remote area where suspects were mixing ethanol with water, adding colour and packaging the mixture into bottles for sale as popular wines and spirits brands using counterfeit labels.
“We found that they were diluting ethanol with water, colouring it and bottling it using fake stickers resembling those of established manufacturers,” he said.
During the raid, police recovered 1,140 bottles of illicit liquor and 60 cartons used for packaging. Officers also seized approximately 10 litres of ethanol, a milk can used for mixing the liquor, an alcohol pump and rolls of counterfeit excise stamps bearing the mark of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
Additionally, 17 mobile phones and one laptop suspected to have been stolen were recovered.
He added that three suspects, two middle-aged women and one middle-aged man, were arrested during the raid and are expected to be arraigned in court on Monday as investigations continue.
The County Police Commander noted that this is the first time police in Uasin Gishu have made such arrests involving fake liquor production in remote rural areas.
He observed that intensified crackdowns in urban centres have made it difficult for illicit brewers to operate within towns, forcing them to shift their activities to the countryside.
“Illicit brew operations have significantly reduced in urban areas and estates. Those involved have now relocated to rural settings to evade detection,” Mwanthi said.
He appealed to residents, particularly those in rural areas, to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
Members of the public, especially those from Tarakwa Ward in Kesses Sub-County who may have lost mobile phones, have been urged to visit Eldoret Central Police Station to identify the recovered devices.
Mwanthi further noted that the supply of ethanol into the county has become increasingly difficult due to enhanced enforcement measures.
While there had previously been concerns about ethanol being sourced from western Kenya and neighbouring regions, he said the situation has since improved.
He assured residents that police will intensify patrols along highways and entry points from neighbouring counties and countries to curb the illegal transportation of ethanol and other materials used in the manufacture of illicit liquor.