157 crates seized in Kirinyaga raid as fears of counterfeit alcohol resurface

Police in Kirinyaga County have seized 157 crates of suspected counterfeit alcohol during a raid in Kangai, Mwea. The operation was prompted by a tip-off that a residential property was involved in manufacturing, packaging and distributing illicit liquor across the county. Kirinyaga Police Commander Anderson Njagi disclosed that counterfeit brands such as Dallas, Trigger, Jambo and Santa Ice were among the products recovered.

The commander expressed alarm over the potential health risks posed by these counterfeit products, warning of the danger they could pose to consumers if circulated. Njagi highlighted the ongoing concern over alcohol-related deaths in Kangai, where dozens of people had lost their lives in recent years. He also questioned the hygiene standards at the premises, casting doubt on the safety of any products manufactured there.

The seized items will undergo laboratory testing to determine their composition and compliance with safety and quality standards. Police are pursuing the property owner, with the recovered items to be referred to the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards and other relevant agencies for further investigation. The raid marks part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the production and sale of illicit alcohol, which has been linked to serious health issues and fatalities across Kenya.

Police have called on residents to report any suspected illegal brewing or distribution networks to aid in dismantling these operations.