Security officers destroyed over 10,000 litres of illegal alcohol during a dawn raid in Soweto village, Kahawa West, Nairobi on Friday morning. The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) led the multi-agency operation that began at 5 a.m. and concluded successfully by 8:30 a.m.
The raiding team seized toxic Kangara and ready-to-sell Chang’aa before dismantling vast boiling tanks, plastic drums, and other distillation equipment to prevent the brewing facility from resuming operations. Brewers abandoned their operations and fled into the darkness when the security team arrived at the illegal brewing site.
NACADA worked alongside National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and an elite police unit from the Nairobi Regional security team to conduct the comprehensive operation. The coordinated effort ensured complete destruction of the illegal alcohol manufacturing facility and all associated equipment.
The operation forms part of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s 100-day rapid results initiative aimed at eliminating illicit alcohol nationwide and protecting Kenyans from its deadly effects. NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa hailed the successful crackdown as sending a strong message to illicit brew peddlers that their days are numbered.
Dr. Omerikwa appealed to the public to support the ongoing fight against illegal alcohol by reporting suspicious activities to local authorities or through NACADA’s toll-free 24-hour hotline at 1192. The authority emphasized the importance of community involvement in identifying and reporting illicit brewing operations across the country.
Illicit alcohol poses severe health risks to consumers, including blindness, organ failure, and death from toxic substances used in production. The destroyed alcohol could have caused serious harm or death to thousands of potential consumers. Health officials warn that illegal brews often contain dangerous chemicals and methanol that make them extremely hazardous for human consumption.
This latest operation demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting public health through coordinated enforcement action against illegal alcohol manufacturers. The multi-agency approach ensures comprehensive destruction of brewing facilities while sending a clear deterrent message to others involved in the dangerous trade.
The successful raid represents continued efforts to eliminate the illicit alcohol trade that has claimed numerous lives across Kenya in recent years.
