The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drugs Abuse (NACADA), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Border Security agencies have seized over 2.8 million litres of illicit alcohol and arrested more than 900 suspects since the countrywide crackdown was launched in December 2025, data from the multi-agency team combating illicit drugs and alcohol shows.
The intelligence-led operation also saw the seizure of 21,280 litres of ethanol, 4,347kg of cannabis, 7.7kg of cocaine, 6.4kg of ketamine and 1.1kg of methamphetamine.
The crackdown followed President William Ruto’s directive on December 31, 2025, when he proclaimed the vice a ‘National Development and Security Emergency’.
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration thereafter put in place various measures to rid the country of illicit drugs and alcohol with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse spearheading the fight, in collaboration with National Police Service and all National Government Administrative Officers.
During this period, 2,846,590 litres of illicit alcohol were netted mainly in Rift valley, Nyanza and Western regions.
Rift Valley region led with more than 870,000 litres of illicit alcohol, mainly bhangra and kangara. The most affected counties were West Pokot, Nandi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Samburu, Narok and Turkana.
In Nyanza, more than 690,000 litres of illegal alcohol – mainly kangara and traditional brews – were seized in all the region’s counties.
In Western region, about 600,000 litres of illegal alcohol were found in Kakamega, Busia, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma and Vihiga counties.
In Nairobi city county, a total of 309,408 litres of counterfeit alcohol was seized.
In the Eastern region, the law enforcement officers found more than 200,000 litres of illegal alcohol, mainly traditional brew, in Meru, Machakos, Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Tana River and Makueni counties.
In the Central region, more than 60,000 litres of illegal alcohol was seized as was the case in the Coast region, where another 60,000 litres was recovered.
Some 500 litres of illicit alcohol were seized in the North Eastern region counties of Wajir, Garissa and Mandera.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the campaign will be accelerated, especially during the school holidays, to consolidate the gains made and stamp out the menace.
He said the multi-agency team is targeting manufacturers, sellers, and distributors of illicit drugs and alcohol. “We are moving beyond prosecution to seizing assets and freezing accounts of those found culpable,” he warned.
The CS also put on notice Police, National Government Administrative Officers and other civil servants facilitating, protecting or colluding with drug networks, saying they will lose their jobs.
“We shall not relent until we have completely dismantled all drug and illicit alcohol cartels stealing the future of our children,” he said.
The multi-agency team brings together the National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Financial Reporting Centre, Anti-Counterfeit Authority, and Asset Recovery Agency.
