Law enforcement officers in Nyeri have impounded counterfeit alcohol valued at Sh90,000 in a major crackdown on illicit brews in the county.
Nyeri Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Ngunyi Maina said the operation led to the seizure of 12 crates of two fake alcohol brands that were being transported in a Toyota Probox for distribution within Ruring’u and Nyeri town.
During the seizure, police also arrested two men and impounded the vehicle, which was being used to illegally transport and distribute the fake alcohol.
The DCC said preliminary investigations show that out of the 12 crates, only two had genuine Kenya Revenue Authority stamps.
Maina said that the authorities have already sent samples of the alcohol to the Government Chemist to help in ascertaining if the contents in the bottles were genuine or counterfeit.
“We have arrested two people in connection with this counterfeit alcohol. Once the results from the government chemist are out, we shall take the suspects to court.
Police also impounded the vehicle that did not bear a visible branding on alcohol distribution as required by the Nyeri County Alcoholic Drinks Control and Management Act of 2024 and it shall be forfeited to the state,” said Maina.
The DCC raised concern over the impact of the illicit alcohol, noting that the products have contributed to increased alcoholism among the youth.
“These two brands have caused a lot of havoc within our area, where youth have sunk into alcoholism,” he said.
The crackdown comes amid growing concern over the proliferation of counterfeit and illicit alcohol across the county, with authorities intensifying efforts to curb the trade.
Last month, the government proposed a reduction in the number of bars in some parts of Nyeri as one strategy of addressing rampant alcoholism.
The towns include Gatitu in Nyeri town; Rurii, Uaso Nyiro and Kiawara (Kieni West), Giakanja and Ithekahuno (Tetu); Wariruta and Ihwagi (Mathira); and Muruguru, Githiru and Micha in Nyeri Central sub-county.
The proposal followed a multi-agency security operation in January, where authorities impounded 150 crates of suspected counterfeit alcohol at a local bar in Micha trading Centre, Ruring’u ward.
Nyeri County Commissioner (CC) Josphat Biwott said the idea is to curb the mushrooming of many drinking joints that have turned some towns into perpetual drinking havens.
Biwott however clarified that such a move was not meant to kill genuine businesses but was only a proposal to control drinking in the rural towns.
The CC has also warned those operating unlicensed drinking joints and selling counterfeit alcohol to close down before security officers come for them.
Biwott said the war on illicit brews and drug abuse was a directive from President Dr William Ruto and authorities are going to implement it to the letter regardless of opposition from the beneficiaries.
“Following Presidential directive in December on the war on rampant alcoholism and substance abuse, we sat with the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority and the County government and we identified fake alcohol as one of the greatest threats in this war.
We are currently conducting vetting and those found without a valid licence will be ordered to close down their businesses,” he said.
by Wangari Mwangi
