Some of the seized counterfeit alcohol in Kitengela./HANDOUT
A multi-agency team has seized counterfeit alcoholic drinks worth an estimated Sh5.28 million in a major operation targeting illicit trade networks in Kitengela town.
The Tuesday morning raid, conducted around 11:00 a.m., was part of a coordinated multi-agency effort involving officers from the anti-drug abuse authority, the national revenue agency, and the police service.
Acting on intelligence, the team stormed a retail outlet suspected of distributing counterfeit spirits, leading to the arrest of one suspect.
Following the arrest, the suspect led officers to a hidden storage container within the town. Inside, the team discovered an industrial-scale stockpile of counterfeit alcoholic beverages packed in hundreds of boxes—a cache believed to be part of a wider distribution network aimed at supplying unregulated drinks to the market.
In total, 528 boxes of assorted spirits were recovered, each containing 20 bottles of 250 ml. The packaging imitated well-known products, pointing to a sophisticated counterfeiting and distribution operation.
The revenue enforcement officers took custody of the entire consignment, which was transported to Nairobi for further verification and destruction.
Samples were also collected by standards officials for laboratory testing to confirm authenticity and assess potential health risks posed to consumers.
Officials said the operation formed part of the ongoing Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) launched by the government to curb the sale and consumption of illicit alcohol.
The campaign, now in its 70th day, has seen a surge in joint enforcement operations across the country targeting unlicensed manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
A senior enforcement official commended the success of the operation, describing it as a demonstration of government resolve to protect public health and dismantle criminal supply chains.
“This successful seizure in Kitengela is clear proof that the ongoing crackdown is working,” the official said.
“We are determined to rid the market of harmful, counterfeit products that endanger lives and undermine legitimate business.”
He added that the operation was not an isolated effort but part of a larger national strategy involving intelligence-led surveillance and inter-agency collaboration.
In a stern warning to those engaged in the trade, the enforcement team vowed to sustain the crackdown until all players in the counterfeit alcohol business are brought to justice.
“To all those profiting from the misery and health risks of unsuspecting consumers, your time is up,” the official warned. “We will find you, prosecute you, and ensure the law takes its full course.”
The government has intensified efforts to eliminate the manufacture and sale of illicit alcohol following rising concerns over deaths, health complications, and revenue losses linked to unregulated brews. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious alcohol outlets to relevant agencies.
The Kitengela seizure marks one of the largest single busts in recent weeks, reinforcing the government’s message that the fight against counterfeit and illicit alcohol will continue unabated.
