Suspect arrested with illicit alcohol in Nyangusu sublocation, Nyamache subcounty, Kisii county, June 9, 2025. /DCI/X
Intensified police crackdown on illicit brew saw officers from Nyangusu police station carry out a targeted raid on Monday against the illegal production and sale of alcohol in Nyangusu sub-location, Nyamache subcounty, Kisii county.
During the operation, they seized 20 litres of chang’aa — a banned local spirit — and destroyed 210 litres of kangara, a fermented substance commonly used to brew chang’aa.
A suspect was arrested at the scene and taken to Nyangusu police station before being formally charged at Ogembo Law Courts with illegal possession and manufacture of illicit liquor.
The crackdown is part of a broader push by law enforcement agencies across Kisii to stamp out illegal brewing activities, which have recently surged.
In past operations, authorities uncovered tens of thousands of litres of illicit brews hidden in large containers, alongside arrests of several suspects, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Local residents, including parents and teachers, have welcomed the efforts, citing growing fears over the damaging effects of illicit alcohol on families and the community.
One local parent shared her relief, saying, “These brews have torn apart so many homes. The police action gives us hope that our children can be protected from this danger.”
Nationally, government leaders have emphasised the need for strict enforcement.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua lamented the return of illegal alcohol to parts of the country where it had previously been contained, while Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued stern warnings to officials who fail to enforce the ban.
Police have vowed to continue intensifying operations in hotspots, urging community members to report any suspected illicit alcohol activity.
“The fight against illegal brews is not just the police’s responsibility — it’s a community effort,” said a senior officer involved in the raid.
For residents of Nyangusu and Kisii county at large, the operation offers a glimmer of hope that the cycle of harm linked to illicit alcohol can be broken.
