Three suspects arrested as NACADA seizes 7,000 litres of illicit brew in Kakamega

The operation, conducted on Friday in collaboration with the Kakamega County Police Command, targeted notorious hotspots in Malinya, Sigalagala, and Musingu villages. Acting on weeks of surveillance and community tip-offs, officers dismantled sophisticated brewing operations that had persisted despite previous enforcement efforts.

“This is not just a raid – it’s a surgical strike against the heart of illicit alcohol production in this region,” said the lead investigator.

The scale of the illicit trade became apparent as officers uncovered an extensive network of brewing sites equipped with industrial-scale machinery. Among the items seized and destroyed were 12 large metallic drums, more than 500 kilograms of sugar meant for fermentation, and assorted brewing paraphernalia. Police described the operations as “professional setups” capable of producing thousands of litres of alcohol weekly, with distribution networks extending to multiple counties.

NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa said the crackdown was part of the agency’s renewed commitment under the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative, as directed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. “We are intensifying nationwide efforts to eradicate this menace that continues to destroy families and communities,” he said.

Dr. Omerikwa also raised alarm over recent findings showing that the age of alcohol initiation in Kenya has dropped to just seven years. “This is a national emergency that requires urgent, collective action. During these school holidays, we urge parents, teachers, and community leaders to be extra vigilant,” he added.

The NACADA boss warned establishments operating in legal grey areas: “We are coming for all busaa-selling outlets hiding behind questionable licences. No one will be allowed to profit from the destruction of our youth under the guise of legitimate business.” He urged Kenyans to use the Authority’s toll-free line 1192 to report illegal activities in real time.

Community leaders in Kakamega South welcomed the operation, with a Musingu village elder saying: “For years, these breweries have been poisoning our youth and fuelling crime. We hope this marks the beginning of sustained action, not just a one-time show of force.”

The crackdown comes weeks after the launch of the National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse, which emphasises multi-agency collaboration and community involvement. NACADA says similar operations are planned in other hotspots nationwide, with particular attention to establishments near schools and residential areas.