Two men are in police custody after officers recovered 220 litres of illegal alcohol during an operation in Kibra, Nairobi County, as authorities continue their crackdown on the production and sale of illicit brews.
The operation was carried out by officers from the National Police Service in the Kianda 42 area of Kibra.
Acting on intelligence, the officers conducted a targeted raid that led to the arrest of the two male suspects and the seizure of a large quantity of Chang’aa believed to have been prepared for distribution within the area.
Police said the suspects were taken into custody and are awaiting processing before being presented in court.
The recovered alcohol was secured by investigators and will be used as evidence during legal proceedings.
The latest operation highlights the continued efforts by security agencies to address the growing challenge of illicit alcohol, which has remained a concern in many parts of the country.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that the production and sale of unregulated alcoholic drinks pose serious risks to public health and safety.
In many communities, illegal brews are often produced in unhygienic conditions and without any form of quality control.
This increases the risk of consumers being exposed to harmful substances that can cause severe health complications.
Over the years, cases of poisoning, hospitalisation and deaths linked to illicit alcohol have been reported in different regions.
Beyond the health risks, law enforcement agencies argue that the illegal alcohol trade fuels other social and economic problems.
Authorities say unlicensed brewing operations often evade taxes and regulations while creating an underground market that is difficult to monitor.
In some cases, proceeds from the trade have been linked to other criminal activities.
Residents in affected areas have frequently called for tougher enforcement measures against those involved in the business.
Community leaders have also urged the public to report suspected brewing dens and illegal alcohol outlets to authorities.
Police have maintained that the fight against illicit brews requires cooperation between security agencies, local administrators and members of the public.
They believe intelligence shared by residents plays a critical role in identifying and dismantling illegal brewing networks.
The National Police Service said the operation in Kibra forms part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the production, distribution and consumption of illicit alcohol. Investigations into the matter are expected to continue as authorities seek to establish whether more individuals were involved in the illegal operation.
The arrested suspects are expected to face charges related to the possession and distribution of illicit alcohol once they are formally arraigned in court.
