Man arrested as police seize 120 litres of chang'aa in Kakamega

Police in Kakamega County have seized 120 litres of chang'aa and arrested one suspect in a targeted crackdown on illicit alcohol.

The Thursday evening operation was conducted in Ikhulili village by officers from Eregi Police Station working jointly with officials from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).

 Police said the suspect, who was found in possession of the brew, is being held in custody and will be arraigned in court.

“We remain committed to pursuing and dismantling all networks engaged in the illegal alcohol and drugs trade,” the National Police Service said in a statement.

The arrest in Kakamega is part of a broader nationwide crackdown on illicit alcohol.

Earlier this week, officers in Nairobi destroyed thousands of litres of illegal brews in Kahawa West.

According to police, more than 3,500 litres of kangara were destroyed, while 180 litres of chang'aa and two brewing coils were confiscated.

The main suspect in that raid managed to escape, with police confirming a manhunt is underway.

On August 27, police uncovered more than 10,000 litres of kangara in another sting operation.

In that raid, officers also recovered about 50 kilograms of jaggery and several packets of yeast catalyst, both believed to be used in the fermentation process.

The seized products were destroyed as evidence was secured for ongoing investigations aimed at identifying and arresting those behind the illegal enterprise.

Police say the continued raids are part of efforts to curb the sale and consumption of illicit alcohol, which has been linked to loss of lives, broken families, and social disorder across the country.

The National Police Service has urged the public to cooperate by sharing information on suspicious activities, noting that the fight against illicit brews requires joint effort between law enforcement and local communities.