Police in Kakamega have arrested 24 people in an intensified crackdown on illicit brews, seizing 84 litres of chang’aa in the process. The swoop is part of the ongoing nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating the production, sale, and consumption of illegal alcohol, which authorities say continues to pose serious health and social risks.
The operation was conducted within Kakamega Town, where officers raided suspected brewing and distribution points. The 24 suspects were taken into custody along with the confiscated alcohol and are set to be arraigned in court on Monday. Law enforcement officials emphasized their commitment to continuing similar operations, warning those involved in the illicit trade that their activities will not be tolerated.
Residents have been urged to collaborate with authorities by sharing timely information that can help identify illegal alcohol networks. Police have also reminded the public of toll-free numbers that can be used to report such activities. Community cooperation is being highlighted as an essential element in curbing the menace, as many illicit brews are produced and consumed within residential areas, often away from the eye of regulators.
The crackdown in Kakamega comes against the backdrop of a wider national strategy targeting the illicit alcohol trade. The government recently established a multi-agency taskforce composed of security personnel and regulatory bodies to carry out coordinated enforcement actions across the country. The unit is mandated to dismantle illegal breweries, shut down outlets selling counterfeit or unlicensed alcohol, and ensure compliance with quality standards.
Authorities maintain that the fight against illicit alcohol is not only a health matter but also a social and economic issue. Cheap and toxic brews have been linked to cases of blindness, poisoning, and deaths, as well as family breakdowns, loss of productivity, and increased crime rates in communities. By sustaining enforcement and community awareness, the government hopes to eradicate the vice and protect vulnerable populations.
The Kakamega operation signals the determination of law enforcement to sustain the pressure on those engaged in the illegal trade. Officials have vowed to extend these crackdowns to all regions of the country, insisting that the goal is to permanently dismantle the networks behind illicit brews and create safer communities.
