By:Faith Mukundi
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has ordered enforcement agencies to intensify the crackdown on illicit alcohol and drug cartels through covert, intelligence-led operations, warning government officials who compromise the fight that they will face the law.
Kindiki said the government was developing new methods of enforcement to dismantle networks involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of illicit and adulterated alcoholic drinks and narcotic substances.
Speaking at his Karen residence in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Kindiki said the renewed crackdown would be conducted through intelligence-led operations rather than relying solely on conventional enforcement approaches.
“We are going to devise new methods of doing this enforcement, and these new methods are completely going to be covert, intelligence-led operations,” Kindiki said.
He warned government officials involved in enforcement who fail to act against illegal alcohol manufacturers and sellers that they would be held accountable.
“Enforcement agencies have been directed to be ruthless, and any official of the Government of Kenya involved in enforcement who compromises or allows this kind of behaviour of dangerous products being manufactured in some places and being sold to the public, and does not take action, will face the consequences of the law,” he said.
Kindiki said the government would also strengthen collaboration with county governments because of their role in devolved trade functions, licensing and regulation of businesses operating in the alcohol sector.
He said the Interior Ministry and the Council of Governors’ relevant committee would convene a sector forum, after which he would chair a special Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) meeting on the matter.
The Deputy President said the government would increase support to law enforcement and regulatory agencies involved in the crackdown.
He singled out the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the police and the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU), which currently has 200 officers.
According to Kindiki, the government plans to increase the strength of the Anti-Narcotics Unit to 700 officers in line with presidential directives, with training already underway.
He said the government would also provide equipment and additional support to agencies including Government Chemist, NACADA, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Kindiki further said communities would play a bigger role in identifying and reporting individuals involved in the illegal trade.
“Our involvement of the community to help us get this issue has not been optimal, and we are going to optimise that involvement going forward,” he said.
He directed enforcement and regulatory agencies to work with communities at the local level to strengthen intelligence gathering and help identify people violating the law.
The government is also reviewing legislation surrounding ethanol, which Kindiki identified as a key area requiring tighter controls.
He said the measures would include reviewing duties on imported ethanol and taking action against illegal importers as well as individuals diverting industrial ethanol into the alcoholic drinks market.
Kindiki described illicit alcohol and drugs as a national security threat, saying the problem was also affecting public health and economic productivity.
“This is a national security and national economic welfare issue,” he said.
The Deputy President said the latest initiative would bring together government agencies, county governments, industry players, business owners and local communities in a multi-sectoral approach.
He also ruled out political interference in the enforcement campaign, saying previous efforts had been undermined by politicisation and competing business interests.
“The war against illicit alcoholic drinks, substance abuse, adulterated alcoholic drinks — this war is not political. There is zero politics involved,” Kindiki said.
He said the government would maintain a zero-tolerance approach even where enforcement actions could affect business interests or generate political consequences.
“If, to preserve the nation, certain business interests will be hurt, so be it,” Kindiki said, adding that the government would prioritise protecting the country’s future.
Kindiki said the renewed campaign would seek to ensure that political interests, business competition and other considerations do not interfere with enforcement against illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs.