Police in Murang’a South have apprehended a large consignment of counterfeit and illicit alcohol valued approximately Sh1 million from a residential house in Kagaa, a high-rise suburban area, in a major blow to illegal liquor networks operating in the region.
The discovery comes only days after the county launched a 100-day Rapid Response Initiative (RRI) aimed at intensifying the crackdown on illicit alcohol, drug trafficking and related criminal activities.
The multi-agency operation, conducted in the early hours of Monday morning, revealed that the heavily guarded property—surrounded by a perimeter wall topped with razor wire—was not an ordinary residence, but an illegal alcohol manufacturing and packaging hub.
Speaking during the operation, Murang’a South Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Bernard Odimo said security officers acted on intelligence provided by residents who reported suspicious activities at the house on Sunday night.
“Our officers rushed to the scene, forced entry and discovered that illegal alcohol packaging was taking place inside the four-bedroom house,” said Odimo.
He said the raid led to the recovery of ethanol drums, bottle tops, empty bottles, fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excise stickers and packaged alcohol stored in 750-millilitre bottles. The illicit products were packed in 178 boxes ready for distribution.
Odimo noted that the counterfeit alcohol bore labels of different well-known brands, pointing to an elaborate and organized illegal manufacturing network.
“This is clearly illegal manufacturing. As you can see, they have packaged alcohol brands from different distillers. We are now involving all relevant multi-agency teams to ensure the matter is fully investigated and the perpetrators are brought to book,” he added.
The DCC issued a stern warning to individuals involved in the production and distribution of illicit alcohol, stressing that only licensed and certified manufacturers are allowed to operate in the country.
He thanked members of the public for providing timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation was critical in the fight against illegal brews and substances that endanger public health and safety.
“The owner of this apartment will be key in helping us trace the suspects because they know the individual to whom the house was rented,” Odimo said.
He further called on landlords to conduct thorough due diligence before renting out their properties and to continuously monitor how the premises are being used to prevent criminal activities.
“If you rent out a house, it is important to know what your tenants are doing. Landlords must take responsibility and regularly monitor their properties,” he emphasized.
Odimo also encouraged residents to embrace community policing, urging them to report suspicious signs such as restricted access to homes, constantly closed gates, razor fencing, lack of interaction with neighbours and vehicles making frequent movements at odd hours.
“As neighbours, you may notice homes where access is restricted, occupants rarely interact with others or vehicles keep arriving and leaving throughout the night. Such signs should be reported promptly,” he said.
The seized illicit alcohol consignment has been secured as investigations continue, with police now pursuing suspects behind the illegal operation.
By Florence Kinyua
