A multi-agency team led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has struck a major blow against counterfeit alcohol syndicates in Machakos County, recovering contraband worth approximately 13 million shillings in a meticulously coordinated raid.

In a simultaneous sting operation Saturday, January 10 morning targeting two of the county’s largest suspected counterfeiters in Kabaa, officers uncovered a sprawling illicit operation. The raided premises, both unlicensed, contained thousands of bottles of counterfeit spirits, fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps, and a massive cache of empty bottles bearing labels of various popular alcohol brands—evidence of a sophisticated repackaging and distribution network.

Alarmingly, one of the illicit stores was located within a residential area, directly exposing children and families to the dangerous trade. “This is not just a crime against the economy, but a direct attack on the health and social fabric of our communities,” stated NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, who was present during the operation.

Dr. Omerikwa revealed that one of the nabbed operators had previously been arrested for similar offences, highlighting the brazen nature of the trade. In a decisive move, he announced, “The premises where this recovery was made will be processed for forfeiture to the state, as directed by His Excellency the President. We are sending an unequivocal message that there will be no safe haven for those profiting from poison.”

This operation marks the third major success in the region in just two days, following similar crackdowns in Joska, Machakos, and Makueni County, signalling an intensified national offensive.

The crackdown comes on the heels of a recent, forceful presidential proclamation elevating the fight against alcohol and substance abuse as a national priority. Placed at the forefront of this war, NACADA’s latest actions demonstrate the new, uncompromising directive: to dismantle production networks and cripple the financial incentives of the trade. The pursuit of asset forfeiture, a powerful tool underscored by the President, aims to permanently shutter these dens and ensure a safer, healthier Kenya.