Police officers in Lugari, Kakamega County, seized and destroyed over 2,700 litres of kangara and seized 550 litres of chang’aa or Nubian gin in Marakusi location during a crackdown on production, distribution and sale of illicit brew in western Kenya.

According to National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) data, Kakamega leads counties on the Kenyan side of the interlacustrine region in the production, distribution and consumption of traditional liquor.

Interlacustrine region refers to pars of East Africa located between several major lakes that include Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi.

This region, for its unique ecological features, history of kingdoms and governance embraced traditional liquors for royal ceremonies and other important occasions. The traditional brew are still in production to date in western Kenya despite a long-standing ban since colonial area. A push legalise them has met with strong resistance and hygiene often cited as the reason for the ban.

On Thursday, police raided illicit liquor brewing dens and confiscated equipment and ready-to-drink brew that was awaiting distribution. Lumakanda Officer Commanding Police Station Wycliffe Kwendo led the raid that resulted in one arrest and impounded several motorcycles that are used to transport and distribute the liquor.

Speaking to the press at Lumakanda Police Station, Lugari Deputy County Commissioner Jeremiah Tumo vowed that law enforcement will not relent in the fight against illicit brews, drugs and substance abuse. Tumo warned that the days of perpetrators were numbered and the crackdown would continue until the menace is eliminated.

“Yesterday, our officers carried out an intelligence-led crackdown in one of the locations notorious for the production of illicit brew. We recovered and destroyed over 2,700 litres of kangara and seized 550 litres of chang’aa,” Tumo disclosed.

The quantity of the lethal brew seized has the capacity to blackout more than 12,000 boozers.

Tumo said seven motorcycles used to ferry the illicit liquor to various destinations were also impounded.

The operation is part of intensified nationwide crackdowns under the 100 Days Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) to eliminate illicit brews and drugs that began on January 9.

Tumo noted that, under the multi-agency approach, authorities have mapped out hotspots across the sub-county and will continue conducting intelligence-led operations to combat illicit brew and drug menace.

“We are sending a stern warning to drug peddlers and those involved in the illicit alcohol trade: your days are numbered. We have resolved to double our efforts. This crackdown will not stop, and all perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted,” he warned.

The deputy commissioner appealed to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to ensure the arrests lead to successful prosecutions.

“It is one thing to arrest offenders; it is another to prosecute them. These cases must be successfully prosecuted so that harsh punishment acts as a deterrent to others involved or seeking to enter the trade,” Tumo said.

He also said the multi-agency team is working closely with NACADA to understand the link between molasses production and the manufacture of chang’aa and kangara in the western region.

“There is a close relationship that must be addressed to curb the menace effectively,” he added.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Melechezedeck Ejakait