Two more people have been arrested in Eldoret as police intensified efforts to curb the illegal sale of ethanol, a key ingredient in the manufacture of illicit alcohol.
Authorities say there has been a noticeable increase in the sale and consumption of illicit alcohol in Uasin Gishu County, prompting concern among residents and local leaders.
County police commander Benjamin Mwanthi reported that six people have been arrested in the past month, during which police also seized three vehicles transporting ethanol.
In the latest incident, police intercepted a vehicle carrying 46 jerricans of 30 litres of ethanol.
Two suspects in the car were arrested and are set to be arraigned in court. The vehicle was intercepted at Kapkoi along the Eldoret-Nakuru highway.
“We will not relent in our crackdown on those dealing in ethanol for the manufacture of illicit alcohol, which is endangering lives,” Mwanthi said.
The arrests follow warnings from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) about a spike in abuse of illicit alcohol and drugs in the county.
A multi-agency team has been stepping up enforcement to address the trend.
Nicholas Kosgey, head of enforcement at NACADA, said more than 30 per cent of young people in the region are affected by drug and alcohol use, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.
The authority has partnered with police, Uasin Gishu County, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and other agencies to address the sale and consumption of illicit substances.
“Those involved in this trade are targeting young people as their market, and we will not allow that to continue,” Kosgey said.
Ethanol is a controlled product intended for industrial production by licensed manufacturers and should not be freely distributed to the public, the NACADA official added.
He noted that new measures have been introduced to strengthen the fight against drugs and illicit alcohol.
