Police have destroyed at least 15,000 litres of illegal alcohol in Soweto, Kayole, as part of a sustained crackdown to combat the sale and distribution of illicit brews in the country.
The operation, carried out on August 12, 2025, targeted an illegal brewery in the Duka Moja area of Kayole Sub-County. A multi-agency team conducted the raid following intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering in the Nairobi Region. The premises, believed to have been a major distribution hub for illegal alcohol in the area, were permanently shut down during the operation.
During the raid, approximately 15,000 litres of illicit brew were destroyed on-site. Authorities have confirmed that key suspects linked to the operation are currently on the run. Law enforcement officers are actively pursuing these individuals, with more raids planned to dismantle similar illegal brewing networks across Nairobi County.
The crackdown is part of a wider government campaign to address the production and distribution of illegal alcohol and drugs, which have been associated with serious health risks and social problems, especially among the youth in informal settlements. Authorities have emphasized that the consumption of such brews poses significant dangers, including poisoning and long-term health complications.
The Kayole operation followed closely on the heels of another successful raid in Zimmerman, Kasarani Sub-County, on August 11, 2025. In that operation, more than 2,000 litres of kangara and chang’aa were seized and destroyed. The Kasarani raid targeted known manufacturing dens and was driven by intelligence reports linking the sites to widespread distribution in surrounding areas.
Officials have reiterated their commitment to eradicating the manufacture, sale, and consumption of illicit alcohol. They have also urged the public to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, stressing that community cooperation is vital for the success of such operations.
Plans are underway to intensify the crackdown in Nairobi and other counties, with a focus on identifying brewing dens, dismantling supply networks, and apprehending the individuals responsible. The campaign is expected to continue until illegal alcohol operations are significantly curtailed, in a bid to protect public health and curb related criminal activities.
