Police officers inspect seized ethanol in Namanga, Kajiado County, on July 4, 2026./HANDOUT
Two people were arrested after they were allegedly found in possession of 122 drums believed to contain ethanol near the Namanga border, Kajiado County.
Kajiado County Police Commander Alex Shikondi said the two were placed in lawful police custody after their arrest on Saturday.
According to Shikondi, the consignment is estimated to have a street value of Sh45 million. He said the suspects were arrested within Namanga Township while allegedly transporting what police described as the outlawed product.
"I want to warn those who are operating this business. You can imagine this consignment has a street value of around Sh45 million worth of ethanol," Shikondi said.
He spoke to the press shortly after police seized the consignment, which he said was being transported through the area when officers intercepted it.
The police commander said the suspects, identified as a truck driver and his turnboy, were being held at Namanga Police Station pending their planned arraignment at the Kajiado Law Courts on Monday.
"The suspects were allegedly evading taxes amounting to Sh32 million if the ethanol had passed..." Shikondi alleged.
Shikondi said police had heightened surveillance by deploying officers along the Nairobi-Namanga Highway and at the Namanga border.
"No crime will be committed across the border under our watch," Shikondi said.
Eyewitnesses told the Star that the suspects were arrested after the truck they were travelling in reportedly stalled along the highway after developing mechanical problems.
"The truck broke its springs, causing it to stall on the road. Police officers on patrol in the area noticed the vehicle and, after searching it, reportedly discovered the 122 drums of alcohol inside. The driver and turnboy were then arrested and taken into police custody," an eyewitness told the Star.
Police removed the drums from the vehicle and impounded them at the Customs office in Namanga, located at the Kenya-Tanzania border.
The arrests come at a time when the government has stepped up efforts to curb the alleged illicit trade in unregulated alcoholic substances and other contraband in the country.
Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the consignment's origin, intended destination and ownership.
