A major crackdown on illicit alcohol has intensified in Homa Bay County after police destroyed more than 12,000 litres of Kangara, a traditional alcoholic brew widely used in the production of illegal spirits. The operation, carried out in the Maguti area near the shores of Lake Victoria, targeted illegal brewing dens and dismantled key supply chains.
The multi-agency operation, led by officers from Kendubay Police Station and National Government Administration Officers, also recovered and destroyed assorted brewing paraphernalia on site. Authorities described the action as part of ongoing efforts to address the rising threat of illicit brews to public health, safety, and social order in the region.
Officials stressed that eliminating such illegal operations is vital to curbing the harmful effects of unregulated alcohol consumption, which has been linked to deaths, chronic illnesses, and disruption of families. The campaign further aims to dismantle networks that profit from the trade while endangering the local population.
The security agencies have pledged to sustain these operations across Homa Bay and beyond, identifying hotspots where illegal brewing continues to thrive. Residents have been urged to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities and providing timely information that can aid investigations.
In addition to the Kendubay operation, similar crackdowns have been conducted in Kisumu, where officers recently destroyed 200 litres of Kangara and chang’aa following a tip-off from locals. The illicit brews had been hidden in a thicket, believed to be a temporary storage site before distribution.
The ongoing enforcement actions form part of a national campaign to eradicate illegal alcohol production, which has long been a menace in various counties across Kenya. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to scaling up operations, warning those engaged in the trade that they will face the full force of the law.
The latest Kendubay operation marks one of the largest seizures in the region and underscores the government’s determination to safeguard communities from the dangers of illicit alcohol.
