NYERI, Kenya – Authorities have seized illicit alcohol and fake revenue stamps worth Sh17.5 million in a major crackdown in Ruring’u, Nyeri County.
The Wednesday morning operation, led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in partnership with other enforcement agencies, targeted a wines and spirits outlet suspected of trading in contraband products.
According to NACADA, intelligence reports guided the raid, which resulted in the recovery of assorted alcoholic brands, 125 litres of ethanol, and counterfeit Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps allegedly used to pass off the goods as genuine.
One suspect was arrested at the scene and handed over to police. Authorities said the individual is already linked to pending court cases involving illicit alcohol.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa said the seizure was part of the government’s 100-Day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) against illicit alcohol, launched this week by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
“This arrest should serve as a warning to those engaged in the illegal alcohol trade. We are determined to enforce the law and protect communities from harmful products,” Dr. Omerikwa said.
He added that enforcement teams are intensifying operations countrywide in line with the directive, vowing to leave “no stone unturned.”
Officials said the seized products will undergo further analysis, with the suspect expected to face charges after investigations are completed.
The raid also highlights the government’s push to enforce the newly launched National Alcohol Policy 2025, which calls for stricter regulation, tighter enforcement, and stronger consumer protection from unsafe products.
The Nyeri operation underscores the public health risks and revenue losses posed by the widespread sale of counterfeit alcohol, as authorities ramp up efforts to dismantle illegal supply chains.
