The government will not relent in its fight against illicit brew and counterfeit alcohol, Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed.
He directed National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and the National Police Service (NPS) to launch a crackdown on illicit brew dens and apprehend the perpetrators.
The CS also flagged out counterfeit stamps of Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) being used to endorse alcohol.
“These issues are being dealt with and the regional and county security teams are on high alert, “ the CS said.
While wrapping up his Lower Eastern Region, Jukwaa la Usalama, Machakos chapter tour, the CS noted that illicit brew and adulterated alcohol is a cross-cutting matter that must be arrested urgently.
While acknowledging that illicit brew and fake alcohol is a major menace in some parts of the country, he announced that tougher regulation on the sector was underway because of its devastating effects.
During the public engagements, locals expressed their frustrations with the purification of these products, some accusing the security officers of being complicit.
For instance in Machakos and Makueni counties, the locals urged the assistant chiefs and chiefs not to spare the brewers, saying the suspects are known but never apprehended.
They also called for a multiagency approach to arrest those selling adulterated alcohol.
