NACADA seizes illicit alcohol worth millions following raid on 3 outlets in Kapsabet

During the Friday morning operation, officers drawn from NACADA and the National Police Service (NPS) raided three premises linked to the illegal alcohol trade, recovering large quantities of smuggled Ugandan-manufactured brews packaged in plastic bottles and sachets, as well as hundreds of cartons of suspected counterfeit branded spirits.

One suspect was arrested during the operation, while another, believed to be the main distributor, escaped. A vehicle linked to the suspect was impounded and found ferrying consignments of the illicit alcohol.

The seized alcohol was taken to Kapsabet Police Station and is awaiting analysis by the government chemist ahead of possible prosecution.

NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr Anthony Omerikwa said the suspect who evaded arrest is known to authorities and has pending cases related to similar offences. He added that asset recovery proceedings would be initiated against those behind the trade.

NACADA has identified Nandi County as one of the regions most affected by the consumption of illicit and toxic alcohol, with authorities linking several recent deaths in the area to cheap brews suspected to contain harmful substances, including methanol.

Local leaders and residents who witnessed the raid welcomed the operation, calling for sustained enforcement to curb the sale of illicit alcohol, which they say continues to pose a serious threat to public health in the region.

The raid marks an intensified crackdown on counterfeit and smuggled alcohol in the North Rift, as authorities step up enforcement against manufacturers, distributors and sellers involved in the illegal trade.