Several illicit brew dealers in Kapenguria’s Makutano area, West Pokot County, spent their Thursday, August 28 night in police custody after they were arrested, their houses destroyed by police officers and local administrators.

The operation, which is part of a larger plan to obliterate illicit brew business affecting the youth in the area, led to the confiscation and destruction of large quantities of chang’aa, kangara and several cartons of second-generation liquor.

Tilak Sub-Location Assistant Chief John Kapengat said muddy houses are drinking dens where drunkards rush to quench their thirst.

“Residents requested us to conduct the crackdown, because they are fed up with alcoholism. We shall not tire until we make sure that alcohol and drug abuse has ended,” he said.

Tens of houses and major drinking dens in informal settlements of Mawingo Road, Eastleigh and Bondeni in Makutano Township have this week been brought down by the team, led by area chief, National Police Reservists (NPR), Nyumba Kumi and village elders.

A number of stores full of apparatus for illicit brews were also destroyed. This is a new strategy employed by government administrators to eradicate illicit brew in the county.

The crackdown, dubbed ‘Operation Ondoa Pombe Haramu’, aims at combating alcoholism in the area.

A major crackdown

This is part of the government’s countrywide crackdown on illicit alcohol businesses, targeting manufacturers, retailers and consumers.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has put on notice rogue business persons engaged in the illicit trade, announcing a 100-day Rapid Result Initiative ( RRI) to rid the country of the menace, earlier this month.

The CS noted that the manufacture, sale and consumption of illicit alcohol and narcotics remain a major national security threat and directed sub-county security teams to engage local stakeholders to curb the prevalence.

He issued a stern warning to politicians who allegedly support this illegal business, claiming that complicity by officers seeks to kill businesses. 

Murkomen also weighed in on the issue of conflict of interest, noting it’s regrettable that majority of the owners of the illegal business are senior government officials and in the counties, police officers and politicians, warning that they will be dealt with according to the law.