NACADA shifts focus to residential areas in war against counterfeit

 

NACADA has raided several residential areas in Machakos and Murang'a counties. [Courtesy, NACADA]

Several suspects have been arrested in Machakos and Murang’a counties as the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) tightens war on counterfeit alcoholic drinks.

In a month-long operation, the authority said several ‘poison’-brewing kits have been seized as the raids expose sophisticated and deadly counterfeiting hubs operating from unsuspecting residential houses.

In Kagaa sub-location, Kenol, Murang’a County, the operation unearthed a chilling assembly line for counterfeit brews, revealing what the authority termed as ‘scale of deception’, threatening public health.

Operatives discovered large quantities of suspected industrial ethanol, a toxic substance unfit for human consumption, alongside food colouring used to mimic genuine products.

The raid also yielded a full counterfeiting toolkit, including paraphernalia for labelling and sealing, thousands of empty, differently branded 250ml bottles and plastic caps, fake Kenya Revenue Authority stamps intended to simulate tax compliance, and over 200 cartons of the finished counterfeit alcohol, packaged and ready to flood the market.

NACADA has raided several residential areas in Machakos and Murang'a counties. [Courtesy, NACADA]

"This is not a business but attempted murder. In the wake of the President's sustained and unequivocal war against drug abuse, this discovery underscores the lethal, sophisticated enemy we face in our communities," stated Anthony Omerikwa, the authorities' Chief Executive Officer.

Omerikwa said that although residents described the premise's occupant as a normal, quiet neighbour, they retrospectively noted the anomaly of frequent vehicles heard driving in and out under the cover of night.

He revealed that the Authority is drastically emboldening its supply suppression strategies following the Presidential directive.

A day earlier, the authority busted another production hub in Kabaa, Machakos County, where counterfeit alcohol with a street value of Sh13 million was intercepted.

Thousands of bottles of counterfeit spirits, fake Kenya Revenue Authority stamps, and a massive cache of empty bottles bearing labels of various popular alcohol brands were seized at the residential apartment.

One of the illicit stores, the authority said, was located within a residential area, directly exposing children and families to the dangerous trade.

NACADA has raided several residential areas in Machakos and Murang'a counties. [Courtesy, NACADA]

In Emali town, another raid uncovered a well-coordinated syndicate that involves the production of the illicit brew laced with industrial yeast to speed up the fermentation process.

According to the Authority, the contents of the drink could be potent since the ingredients are unsafe for human consumption.

The raid, which uncovered an unlicensed bar operating within a housing complex, exemplifies the targeted crackdown on embedded networks.

One person was arrested, and over 5,000 litres of illicit brew were seized in a residential complex.

In another afternoon raid by a multi-agency team in Joska, hundreds of empty 250ml bottles, all professionally packaged with labels mimicking at least seven popular second-generation alcoholic spirit brands, were seized.

The raid also yielded large volumes of already-bottled counterfeit and expired alcoholic drinks, destined for unsuspecting consumers in the region.

“Health experts warn that such counterfeit products often contain lethal levels of methanol and other toxic adulterants, posing severe risks of blindness, organ failure, and death,” he said.

NACADA’s crackdown follows President William Ruto’s New Year's Eve directive on alcohol and drug abuse.

Ruto said any government official or security officer found aiding or abetting drug trafficking or illicit alcohol networks will be dismissed from service and prosecuted.

While declaring alcohol and drug abuse a national emergency, Ruto said his government will strengthen the anti-narcotics unit to combat the menace.

NACADA has raided several residential areas in Machakos and Murang'a counties. [Courtesy, NACADA]

Speaking at Eldoret State Lodge during his New Year’s address, the President described the crisis as a ‘silent but deadly’ threat to Kenya’s health, security, and economic future.

“One in every six Kenyans aged between 15 and 65, that is over 4.7 million people, is currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse. This is no longer a marginal issue; it is a national emergency,” Ruto said.

The President added that the burden of substance abuse falls heaviest on men and young people.

“One in every three Kenyan men in this age group uses drugs or alcohol. Among young adults aged 25 to 35, our most productive population, one in five is affected. Over 1.5 million young Kenyans are being pulled away from opportunity into dependency.”

Alcohol remains the most widely used substance, with over 3.2 million users. Alarmingly, initiation often occurs between the ages of 16 and 20, and in some cases as early as seven, exposing children to lifelong harm before adulthood begins.

“Kenya cannot grow, compete, or remain secure when millions are trapped in addiction. This crisis demands decisive national action,” said Ruto.