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Police have uncovered a suspected counterfeit alcohol operation in Kangai, Mwea, Kirinyaga County, following a public tip-off. The raid comes amid renewed efforts to prevent further deaths associated with illicit liquor in the region.
Kirinyaga Police Commander Anderson Njagi said officers raided a residential property suspected of being used to manufacture, package and distribute alcohol to bars across the county. Several suspected counterfeit brands were recovered during the operation on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
157 Empty Crates Recovered
Among the items seized were suspected counterfeit brands bearing names such as Dallas, Trigger, Jambo and Santa Ice. Police also recovered 157 empty crates carrying labels associated with different alcoholic products.
Njagi said investigators suspected the premises had been used to package and seal counterfeit alcohol before it was supplied to sellers. The recovered items were documented for further examination as investigations into the suspected operation continued.
Police Raise Alarm Over Consumer Safety
Authorities expressed concern about the possible health dangers posed by alcohol produced or repackaged under questionable conditions. Njagi also raised concerns about hygiene at the property, saying the conditions cast doubt on the safety of any products handled there.
The commander recalled previous alcohol-related deaths in Kangai, saying the community remained concerned about the possibility of another tragedy. He warned that authorities were determined to prevent further loss of life linked to dangerous alcoholic products.
The seized alcohol will undergo laboratory analysis to establish its composition and determine whether it meets the required safety standards. Police said the findings would help investigators establish the nature of the products and guide further action.
Agencies to Join Investigations
Officers are pursuing the owner of the property, who had not been arrested when the raid was reported. The recovered items are also expected to be examined with the involvement of the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Kenya Bureau of Standards and other relevant agencies.
The agencies will investigate compliance with regulations governing alcohol production, packaging, taxation and distribution. Authorities have continued to urge residents to report suspected illegal brewing and counterfeit alcohol networks.
Police say information from the public remains important in identifying suspicious premises and preventing potentially dangerous products from reaching consumers. The investigation is ongoing, and laboratory results are expected to clarify whether the seized products were unsafe or illegally manufactured.
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