NAIROBI, Kenya — Two suspects have been arrested after officials from the Anti‑Counterfeit Authority (ACA) intercepted more than 1,000 cartons of counterfeit alcohol — valued at approximately Sh2.5 million — during a raid on a makeshift distribution hub in Kiamaiko, Nairobi.
The operation, part of a broader festive-season enforcement campaign, targeted a six-storey residential building believed to serve as a concealed storage and distribution point for illicit alcoholic beverages.
According to the ACA, the den was supplying fake alcohol not only within Nairobi but also to neighbouring counties and emerging markets.
“This was a well-established hub feeding counterfeit alcohol into Nairobi and surrounding counties, with much of it intended for sale upcountry. Removing these products safeguards consumers and protects legitimate traders nationwide,” said the ACA’s Nairobi Regional Manager.
Officers noted that the seized products bore several warning signs: labels inconsistently printed, misspellings, absence of safety marks, and excise stamps — indicators that the beverages did not meet regulated quality standards.
Consuming such illicit alcohol carries serious risks, including alcohol poisoning, blindness, and long-term organ damage. The ACA emphasised the dangers, especially given that many victims consume the products unaware of their counterfeit status.
Under the Anti‑Counterfeit Act, 2008, the two suspects are being processed for possession and storage of counterfeit goods, offences punishable by imprisonment and/or fines.
The bust follows a similar raid several months ago. In Ruiru’s Kahawa Sukari Estate, authorities uncovered an illegal distillery operating inside a residential home. During that operation, two individuals were also arrested, raising concerns that illicit liquor was being funneled to local vendors and consumers.
The ACA said that it will continue targeting underground networks involved in the production and distribution of fake alcohol as part of a nationwide campaign to protect public health and support legitimate businesses.
