A multi-agency security operation in Marsabit County has seized 8,460 litres of kangara and 60 litres of chang’aa, dismantled several illicit brewing dens, and arrested suspects in an intensified crackdown on illegal alcohol and substance abuse.
The operation, led by the county security committee and sub-county security committees of Sangante/Jaldesa and Marsabit central, was conducted in collaboration with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and members of the public.
Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande said the operation targeted suspected chang’aa brewing and selling points in Marsabit town and surrounding areas.
Kamande said security officers acted on information received from members of the public and concerning two houses in Marsabit town that were allegedly being used to brew and sell illicit alcohol.
The officers raided the two premises and arrested one suspect, who is expected to be arraigned in court.
The security team later moved to Sagante/Jaldesa Sub-County, where officers discovered a homestead allegedly being used as an illicit alcohol brewing den.
One suspect was arrested while allegedly brewing chang’aa inside an ordinary kitchen meant for preparing food.
The team recovered 10 litres of chang’aa and 60 litres of Kangara at the premises.
According to Kamande, officers also discovered abandoned brewing dens in the area, which appeared to have been used for illicit alcohol production for many years.
The abandoned sites contained equipment believed to have been used in the production of chang’aa.
At one of the sites, officers discovered approximately 8,000 litres of kangara undergoing fermentation, which was allegedly intended for the production of chang’aa.
Another abandoned den contained approximately 50 litres of processed chang’aa.
The owners of the abandoned premises were not found, prompting the security team to destroy the illicit brew and dismantle the brewing equipment.
Kamande said security agencies would continue monitoring the areas to ensure the abandoned dens are not re-established.
“We will continue going back to these locations to monitor whether the owners have resumed the illegal activities or whether other people have taken over the dens,” he said.
The crackdown was later extended to Jirime, in Marsabit Central Sub-County, where officers discovered five suspected chang’aa brewing dens hidden in bushy areas.
Although the suspects were not found, the officers recovered approximately 400 litres of kangara stored in jerrycans.
The containers and illicit brew were destroyed, with officers pouring away the kangara to prevent the sites from being used again.
Kamande said the latest operation demonstrated the resolve of security agencies to eliminate illicit alcohol production and sale in the county.
He said the Rapid Result Initiative (RRI) is ongoing across all sub-counties, with security teams conducting regular operations against illicit brews.
The Commissioner also called on members of the public to continue providing information about individuals involved in the manufacture and sale of illicit alcohol.
He thanked residents who had shared information with security agencies, saying such cooperation had enabled officers to identify and raid suspected brewing dens.
Kamande assured members of the public that information provided to security agencies would be treated with confidentiality.
The CC expressed concern over the effects of illicit alcohol on young people, saying substance abuse was undermining the lives and economic prospects of many youths in the county.
He said some young people were spending the little money they receive on illicit alcohol instead of using it to buy food or invest in productive activities.
Kamande warned that security operations would also target people involved in the sale of illicit spirits and other prohibited substances.
He said individuals involved in the illegal alcohol trade should expect continued enforcement action.
NACADA Marsabit Coordinator Wako said the multi-agency approach would continue to be at the center of the fight against brews and substance abuse.
Wako said authorities would not spare areas or individuals found engaging in the illegal manufacture and sale of illicit alcohol.
He said those who believed they could evade law enforcement would be pursued.
“There is no place that we will not enter in this fight,” Wako said, so the operation will be conducted without favoritism or discrimination.
Wako said the crackdown would not only target chang’aa brewers and sellers but would also extend to individuals involved in the sale of bhang and counterfeit alcohol drinks.
He said security agencies had profiled areas where bhang was allegedly being sold and would move against those involved.
The NACADA official said the campaign was necessary to protect young people from the effects of alcohol and substance abuse.
He said the ongoing 100-day RRI against illicit brews and substance abuse had already yielded results, including the destruction of approximately 12,000 litres of kangara at Jirime during an earlier operation.
According to Wako, the kangara was believed to have been destined for processing into chang’aa for sale in Marsabit town.
He said police had also arrested several people during previous operations, including suspects found brewing or selling illicit alcohol and other allegedly selling bhang.
Those arrested were subsequently taken to court to face charges.
Wako said the latest operation should serve as a warning to people involved in illicit alcohol and substance abuse that enforcement agencies would continue pursuing them.
Two suspects arrested during the latest operation are expected to be arraigned in court as the multi-agency team intensifies the crackdown across Marsabit.
By Anthony Melly
