Police in Oyugis acting on a tip off conducted a dawn raid in a hotel on Friday and seized a haul of counterfeit beverages.
The police also arrested the owner of the hotel, Wicliffe Onyango alias Wicky, 32 years old.
The 5.30 am raid on the hotel situated on Raila ground in Oyugis town location saw police confiscate 256 bottles of Simba Waragi sachets and 24 bottles 200ml Empire Cane spirits.
Police also confiscated three gambling machines from the hotel during the search alongside the counterfeit brew.
Speaking to the media after the raid, the Rachuonyo South Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Mohammud Ibrahim said the government will not relent on the crackdown on illicit brews and counterfeit products and directed chiefs to intensify the war in their respective locations.
He called on residents to be vigilant and report cases of such products some of which he said could have negative consequences to the health of the people.
Police believe the cheap Simba Waragi spirit manufactured in a neighbouring country is smuggled to the country through Lake Victoria and then finds its way into small trading centres in Rachuonyo region
Elsewhere, the Rachuonyo South Security team led by the DCC today morning set ablaze three gambling machines confiscated from gambling joints in Oyugis town this week.
By Moseti Julius
