Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Eddyson Nyale has vowed to intensify the fight against illicit brews, second-generation alcohol, and drug trafficking, warning that perpetrators will face the full force of the law regardless of their political or social standing.
Speaking in Eldoret during a multi-agency briefing attended by security officers, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and other stakeholders on Saturday, Nyale said at least five consignments of ethanol had been intercepted in the county in the last three months.
“Eldoret, being Kenya’s newest city and an economic hub, is being targeted as a prime market for second-generation alcohol. These brews, often made by mixing ethanol and water, are harmful to human health. We will not allow them to thrive here,” he said.
He said that unscrupulous dealers are increasingly targeting students in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Security agencies recently seized cannabis sativa valued at Sh9.5 million destined for the Coast region. Dr. Nyale pledged continued collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Court Users Committee to stamp out the menace.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed that officers had raided a building under construction in Eldoret, where 10 containers of ethanol worth about Sh500,000 were found hidden under sand. He credited public intelligence for the successful operation.
“Security agencies cannot be everywhere. We rely on wananchi to report suspicious activities so that we can act swiftly,” Mwanthi said, warning that illicit alcohol posed a serious threat to the youth. He assured that investigations were ongoing and the dealer behind the operation would be brought to justice.
NACADA Head of Compliance and Enforcement Nicholas Kosgei expressed concern over ethanol diversion into the consumer market, noting that a single glass of ethanol could produce up to 20 bottles of beer.
“Unscrupulous dealers are either killing our youth with unsafe alcohol or exploiting them for profit. In some cases, highly concentrated mixtures are being sold, causing severe damage to internal organs,” he said, adding that most consignments were believed to be smuggled through porous borders.
A NACADA survey indicates that nearly half of Kenyan youth are affected by alcohol and drug abuse, with those aged 17 to 26 most vulnerable.
The Kenya Revenue Authority also raised alarm, with Rift Valley Customs Enforcement Manager Dr. Bernard Matibe revealing that beyond Uasin Gishu, recent seizures included 55 jerrycans of ethanol in Kapsabet and 25 drums in Naivasha.
“Ethanol is a controlled product meant strictly for licensed manufacturers. When it falls into the hands of unlicensed dealers, it becomes a dangerous product that threatens lives,” Matibe said.
He added that all excise stamps on seized ethanol were fake and urged consumers to only buy from certified manufacturers. “This is not just about health; it is also about protecting government revenue. Illegal traders are denying the country taxes and undermining the economy,” he said.
The multi-agency team pledged to sustain enforcement operations and called on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
