Authorities in Nairobi have seized and destroyed more than 5,000 litres of chang’aa in a major crackdown targeting illegal alcohol dens in Dandora. The operation, which focused on a notorious brewing site, resulted in the recovery of brewing equipment including six copper manufacturing coils and three electric boilers. The equipment has been retained as evidence as investigations continue.
During the raid, the owner of the den managed to escape and is currently being sought by law enforcement officers. Authorities have pledged to intensify efforts to dismantle illegal brewing operations, which remain a major health and security concern across the country.
This latest enforcement action comes just days after a similar operation in Nanyuki where officers recovered 54 litres of illicit alcohol in Likii Estate, Laikipia East Sub-County. In that incident, one individual was apprehended and the alcohol secured as evidence. The crackdown was described as intelligence-led, underscoring the growing focus on data-driven policing in the fight against illicit alcohol production and distribution.
Earlier in August, law enforcement destroyed approximately 15,000 litres of illegal alcohol in the Soweto area of Kayole, Nairobi. The large-scale operation in the Duka Moja neighborhood was carried out by a multi-agency team and targeted distributors known to operate within densely populated urban settlements.
Illicit alcohol, particularly chang’aa, has been a persistent challenge in Kenya, with concerns ranging from severe health risks to criminal activity associated with its trade. The brews are often produced in unsafe and unhygienic conditions, exposing consumers to toxic substances that can cause long-term health complications or even death. Additionally, the trade fuels organized crime, with powerful networks running many of the dens.
Authorities have urged the public to continue collaborating with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities related to the production and sale of illegal brews. Community support, they emphasized, is vital in dismantling the supply chains and ensuring safe neighborhoods.
The recent wave of crackdowns signals renewed commitment by enforcement agencies to curb the sale and distribution of illicit alcohol. With operations spreading across urban centers and rural regions alike, the war against chang’aa is expected to intensify in the coming months, with more raids, arrests, and large-scale destructions of illegal brews.
