By:Faith Mukundi
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced plans to introduce tougher penalties against individuals involved in the illicit alcohol trade, including manufacturers, suppliers, financiers and other people who facilitate the distribution of illegal drinks.
Kindiki said the government would review existing laws to impose punitive measures on those involved in the supply chain, warning that the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs was a national priority that could not be compromised by commercial interests.
Speaking during a follow-up review meeting on combating illicit alcohol and drugs at his Karen Residence in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 21, Kindiki said the government had classified the menace among the three greatest threats to Kenya’s future.
“We have classified this matter among the top three greatest threats to Kenya’s future. The menace of illicit alcohol and drugs can wipe out all the gains we have made as a country,” he said.
The Deputy President maintained that the crackdown was intended to protect public health and national security rather than target legitimate businesses, particularly as the government seeks to curb the loss of young lives linked to illicit alcoholic drinks.
“We are not fighting against businesses or industries; we are protecting the nation from collapse. No person will be allowed to benefit from the deaths and destruction of the people of Kenya, especially our young people,” Kindiki added.
Government Establishes Permanent Secretariat
As part of the renewed campaign, Kindiki announced the establishment of a permanent secretariat on the sixth floor of Harambee House Annex to coordinate enforcement activities and sustain the government’s response to illicit alcohol and drug abuse.
He said the government would also strengthen the capacity of key agencies, including anti-counterfeit bodies, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Anti-Narcotics Unit of the Kenya National Police Service.
The agencies are expected to play a central role in identifying illegal products, disrupting supply networks and supporting enforcement operations targeting manufacturers and distributors operating outside the law.
Kindiki further directed law enforcement agencies to support the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in maintaining enforcement activities and improving the success rate of operations.
He said the campaign would continue without interruption, adding that the government would not wait for another incident involving illicit alcohol to take action.
Nine Ethanol Operations Conducted
Giving an update on enforcement activities, Kindiki said authorities had conducted nine successful operations targeting ethanol over the preceding 40 nights.
Ethanol is a key ingredient in alcoholic beverages, including illicit spirits that can pose serious health risks when improperly produced or contaminated.
The Deputy President said intelligence-led operations would continue and could be intensified as authorities seek to dismantle networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of illicit alcoholic drinks.
He added that the government would release information about the operations after their successful conclusion to protect intelligence and prevent suspects from escaping or tampering with potential evidence.
“However, because of the unique approach we are taking this time round, we will only report after the successful conclusion of an operation,” Kindiki said.
He noted that authorities had also conducted 116 other operations across the country, mainly targeting traditional brews manufactured outside the legal framework.
Traditional Brewers Told to Meet Standards
Kindiki clarified that traditional alcoholic brews are not automatically illegal, noting that the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010 permits them provided they comply with the applicable standards established by KEBS.
He urged operators in the traditional brewing sector to seek the required approvals and ensure their products meet the prescribed standards.
The government’s approach, he said, would focus on activities that violate the law and endanger public health rather than treating all traditional brews as illegal.
The renewed crackdown comes as the government seeks to strengthen coordination among enforcement agencies and sustain operations against illicit alcohol and drug abuse.
Kindiki said the government would continue informing the public about progress made in the campaign, while maintaining operational secrecy to protect investigations and enforcement efforts.