Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale has vowed to escalate the fight against illicit brew, second-generation alcohol and drug trafficking, warning that perpetrators would face the full force of the law regardless of their political or social standing.
Speaking in Eldoret during a multi-agency media briefing which brought together security officers, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and other stakeholders, Dr. Nyale revealed that at least five consignments of ethanol had been intercepted in the county over the past three months.
“Being Kenya’s newest city and a hub of economic activity, Eldoret is being targeted as a prime market for second-generation alcohol. These brews, often made by mixing ethanol and water, are dangerous to human health. We will not allow them to thrive here,” he said.
The County Commissioner added that dealers are targeting students in local universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
He further revealed that security agencies recently seized cannabis sativa with a street value of Sh9.5 million destined for the Coast region and pledged continued collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Court Users Committee to stamp out the menace.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed the latest raid at a building under construction in Eldoret, where 10 containers of ethanol, valued at about Sh500,000, were found hidden under sand. He credited public intelligence for the operation’s success.
“Security agencies cannot be everywhere. We rely on wananchi to report suspicious activities so that we can act swiftly,” Mwanthi said, urging citizens to continue cooperating with chiefs, assistant chiefs, community policing units and police stations.
Mwanthi warned that illicit alcohol poses a major threat to the youth, particularly in colleges and schools.
He added that investigations were ongoing and promised that the dealer behind the illegal ethanol business would be arrested and brought to justice.
NACADA Head of Compliance and Enforcement Nicholas Kosgei raised fresh concern about the diversion of ethanol into the consumer market, warning that unscrupulous traders were endangering lives.
“A single glass of ethanol can produce up to 20 bottles of beer. Unscrupulous dealers are either killing our youth by selling unsafe alcohol or exploiting them for profit. In some cases, highly concentrated mixtures are being sold, causing serious damage to internal organs,” Kosgei said.
He noted that consignments were suspected to be smuggled through porous borders and emphasised that NACADA is working with security agencies to disrupt the trade.
A recent survey, he added, showed that up to half of Kenyan youth were affected by drugs and alcohol abuse, with those aged 17 to 26 most vulnerable.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) also sounded an alarm over the growing ethanol trade with Rift Valley Customs Enforcement Manager Dr. Bernard Matibe revealing that besides Uasin Gishu, recent seizures included 55 jerry cans in Kapsabet and 25 drums in Naivasha.
“Ethanol is a controlled product, meant strictly for licensed manufacturers. When it falls into the hands of unlicensed dealers, what ends up in the market is a dangerous product that threatens lives, especially among the youth,” said Matibe.
He disclosed that all excise stamps found on seized ethanol were fake and urged consumers to only buy from certified manufacturers.
“This is not just about health, it is also about protecting government revenue. By evading taxes, illegal traders are undermining the economy,” he added.
The multi-agency team reiterated its commitment to intensifying enforcement, calling on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
By Fredrick Maritim
