The government has unveiled a special multi-agency unit to spearhead the fight against illicit alcohol, drugs, and adulterated ethanol across the country.
Speaking in Nyeri ahead of the Jukwaa la Usalama forum, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the unit will conduct nationwide sting operations targeting illegal establishments operating with fake or no licenses.
“We have agreed at the security meeting with the Inspector General and NACADA that we are going to establish a special multi-agency team that will include KEBS, KRA, among other agencies, to ensure compliance,” said the CS.
The team will be coordinated from Nairobi, but will reinforce regional and county security agencies when necessary.
Murkomen disclosed that the crackdown will focus on suspected business moguls supplying adulterated ethanol and other illegal substances, with Nyeri County identified as a key transit point.“Nyeri is a transit route for Ethiopia, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Busia. Some of these drugs are left in Nyeri, while others are planted in Mt Kenya forests. We have agreed to work together on how best to deal with these traders,” he said.
Although Nyeri ranks 41st nationally in alcohol and drug proliferation, Murkomen noted that the county remains vulnerable due to its position as a distribution route. He added that Kiambu, Murang’a, Western, Nyanza, and Nairobi counties are among the most affected.
The CS linked widespread drug abuse to rising cases of suicide, mental health challenges, sexual violence, and gender-based violence.
He further revealed that several smugglers, believed to be behind the illicit ethanol trade, had been arrested, with Laikipia identified as a major hub for their operations.
Murkomen assured Kenyans that the continuous crackdowns will be sustained until the vice is eradicated.
