Police in Murang’a have arrested two people accused of manufacturing illicit brews in their residential home in Mathanduku village in Gatanga.
Acting on a tip-off from the members of the public, the police raided the premises where manufacturing of the counterfeit liquor had been going on.
About 150 litres of ethanol, distilling machines, fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps, crates and assorted bottles were found at the scene.
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According to county commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, the operation was conducted by a multi-agency team which swung into action after being informed about the illegal business that had been going on in the premises.
Nkanatha said the suspects have counterfeited over 50 brands in the market which they have been distributing in the local market and by extension the central region.
“They have been collecting bottles for various brands but filling up with the same content of diluted ethanol,” he remarked.
“This is an illegal business that poses a health risk to the unsuspecting consumers and the raid is a huge milestone in the fight against alcoholism in the area” added the commissioner.
Nkanatha said it will no longer be business as usual adding that there will be an intensive crackdown to flush out all the brewers in the area.
“The Rapid Result Initiative to fight alcoholism has started and will be on for the next two weeks,” he added.
He also cautioned the administration and security officers against sleeping on their job saying they risk losing their jobs if they do not deliver results.
County police commander Kainga Mathiu said one of the suspects is an ex-police officer who quit his job for unknown reasons and ventured into illegal business.
Mathiu said this is a killer business adding that the people know very well that they are endangering the lives of the people by selling them toxic substances.
“Days ago we lost a handful of people in Kirinyaga after they consumed lethal liquor and we won’t allow the same to happen here,” the commander said.
“I however urge members of the public to be mindful of what they consume because there are a lot of harmful products in the market.”
Gachagua's visit to Murang'a
During his visit to Murang’a last week, Deputy President Rigathi Gahagua issued a directive to security agents in the area to put more effort into the fight against alcoholism.
Gachagua said illicit brews are threatening the lives of young men turning them into zombies and others losing their lives.
“I am not going to sit back and watch the young generation wasting away, something has to be done about it,” Gachagua said.
“Those officers who fail to do their job should know there will be no transfer to another place, but they will go home.”
