One arrested as NACADA seizes counterfeit alcohol worth Ksh.1.4M in Murang’a

The operation, carried out jointly with Murang’a Police, followed intelligence reports of illegal liquor trade and is part of a 100-day crackdown on illicit alcohol directed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

Officers recovered 290 crates of assorted alcoholic drinks, including Smart Ice, Taifa Ice, Diamond Ice, and Apple Ice, all bearing fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps, along with several cartons of Dallas Gin spirits.

The store where the products were found has been linked to Peter Nduati, alias Mike Power, a suspected major dealer in the region. He was not at the premises during the raid, but a woman believed to be his store manager was arrested and is being held at Kahuho Police Station.

According to NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, the suspect owns 59 alcohol dispensing outlets across Murang’a County and has repeatedly bypassed law enforcement efforts over the years. 

“This is not a small-time player. He is a well-known figure whose business empire thrives on illegality, and his continued evasion of the law underscores the scale of the challenge we face,” Dr. Omerikwa stated. 

KRA has taken over investigations, with the suspect expected to face charges of tax evasion and contravening the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act. 

"The seized items have been handed over to the KRA Investigations Team, while samples will undergo further analysis at the Government Chemist and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to determine their safety," said NACADA. 

Authorities say the manhunt for Nduati is ongoing.