Kiambu steps up crackdown on counterfeit alcoholic drinks

Kiambu County in Kenya has intensified efforts to combat the production and sale of counterfeit alcoholic beverages. County Commissioner George Matundura has assured licensed bar owners that the crackdown is not directed at businesses operating legally. Traders adhering to licensing and regulatory standards are not required to panic, as security agencies have launched intensified operations against illicit alcohol products.

The crackdown commenced on Monday and has already resulted in the seizure of thousands of liters of counterfeit liquor, along with the arrest of numerous suspects who have been charged in court.

During a briefing in Ruiru for journalists, Matundura explained that security officers and other agencies involved in the operation are enforcing the law while simultaneously protecting consumers from harmful alcoholic products. He emphasized that the operation is making notable progress and will continue until illicit and harmful liquor is eliminated from the market.

Accompanied by Kiambu County Police Commander Kennedy Osando, Matundura encouraged members of the public, alcohol manufacturers, and bar operators to share information about unlicensed products being sold in the market. Osando cautioned bar owners to exercise caution when purchasing alcohol, urging them to verify the credibility of suppliers and the traceability of products to known physical addresses.

He also advised consumers to verify alcoholic products before making purchases, using established verification methods. Osando reiterated that the county's security agencies will persist with the operation to restore order in the liquor trade.