In a decisive pre-dawn operation, a multi-agency security team dismantled a major illicit alcohol den in Nairobi’s Kahawa West, destroying more than 10,000 litres of toxic Kangara in Soweto village. The raid, conducted at around 5 am on Saturday, was part of the government’s ongoing 100-day rapid results initiative aimed at eradicating illicit brews across the country.
The crackdown followed actionable intelligence, leading enforcement officers from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), and the National Police Service to the heart of the illegal brewing hub. Upon arrival, the brewers fled into the darkness, abandoning their equipment and dangerous products.
Investigators found a large-scale operation in progress. Authorities destroyed 30 jerricans, each carrying 20 litres of ready-to-sell chang’aa, alongside vast boiling tanks and plastic drums used in the distillation process. The equipment was dismantled to ensure the facility would not be revived. The mission was successfully executed by 8:30 am with no casualties reported.
Officials described the raid as a demonstration of how inter-agency cooperation can deliver tangible results in tackling the persistent problem of illicit alcohol. They warned that those profiting from the trade in dangerous brews would be relentlessly pursued until the menace is eliminated.
The crackdown also carried a strong message to communities affected by the illegal liquor trade. Security teams reiterated that the government’s broader goal is to safeguard public health and restore safety in neighbourhoods where illicit alcohol has thrived for years. Residents were encouraged to play an active role in the fight by reporting suspicious brewing activities through a toll-free, 24-hour hotline.
Authorities emphasized that the war on illicit brews would not be won through law enforcement alone, but through unity between government agencies and the public. They called on citizens to remain vigilant and to work hand in hand with local administrators in order to free the country from the scourge of counterfeit and toxic alcohol.
The destruction of more than 10,000 litres of Kangara in Soweto marks one of the most significant operations in Nairobi this year, sending a clear warning that illegal alcohol operations will no longer be tolerated.
