A multi-agency enforcement team has executed a successful raid in Ruring’u, Nyeri County, dismantling a major counterfeit alcohol network and seizing fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps valued at KSh17.5 million.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Thursday morning, targeted Zidane Wines and Spirits, an outlet linked to a notorious suspect. Acting on intelligence reports, officers swiftly cordoned off the premises, uncovering a massive stockpile of illicit products disguised as legitimate brands.
Among the items confiscated were 9 cartons of Sweet Berry Vodka, 8 cartons of Dallas Gin, 36 cartons of Trace Vodka, 18 crates of Jambo Ice liquor, 125 litres of ethanol, 3 crates of Viena Ice, 12 crates of Diamond Ice, 8 crates of Jambo Ice, and 10 cartons of BEST Classic. Authorities also recovered fake KRA revenue stamps, used to pass off the counterfeit alcohol as genuine.
The suspect behind the operation was apprehended on-site. He is well-known to law enforcement agencies, with multiple pending court cases linked to counterfeit alcohol. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing nationwide crackdown on illicit liquor.
Officials noted that the raid was part of a larger effort to implement the government’s 100 Days Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) against illicit alcohol. The initiative, spearheaded by the Interior Ministry, has intensified operations countrywide, targeting production dens, distribution points, and retail outlets engaged in the illegal trade.
Authorities warned that the production and sale of counterfeit alcohol not only undermine legitimate businesses but also pose severe health risks to consumers. With ethanol and other unregulated substances often used in production, unsuspecting members of the public are exposed to toxic and sometimes lethal brews.
This latest bust also underscores the urgency of enforcing the recently launched National Alcohol Policy 2025. The policy prioritises stricter regulation of the alcohol industry, stronger consumer protection measures, and tougher penalties for offenders. Enforcement agencies reiterated their commitment to ensuring that communities are safeguarded from harmful and unregulated products.
The seizure in Nyeri sends a strong message to those profiting from counterfeit alcohol: the crackdown is intensifying, and the law will catch up with offenders. As operations continue across the country, authorities remain determined to stamp out illicit alcohol and protect public health.
