Murkomen announces crackdown on illicit brew in Kiambu
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 18, 2025Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has launched a crackdown on illicit brews in Kiambu County.
The CS made the announcement on Monday, August 18, 2025, during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum held in the county.
He noted that Kiambu has been identified as one of the areas heavily affected by drug abuse and the alcohol menace, making it a top priority in the government’s security discussions.
“Our greatest effort is the manufacture of second-generation alcohol; within the county itself, we are very concerned that a number of properly licensed manufacturers, who are manufacturing good alcohol, are also involving themselves in adulterating other alcohol,” Murkomen stated.
Murkomen pointed out that one of the greatest challenges facing the county is the manufacture of second-generation alcohol. He expressed concern that some licensed manufacturers who produce certified alcohol are also involved in producing adulterated products.
licensing
According to him, there are cases where companies operate proper plants that are certified by KEBS and from which KRA collects revenue.
However, the same companies are linked to smaller, satellite operations in informal settlements where illicit alcohol is produced without KEBS certification and with no revenue visibility to KRA. These illegal products are then pushed into the market using the names of the licensed companies.
“One would have a proper plant where they manufacture alcohol that is certified by KEBS, with KRA collecting revenue, and then they have another satellite, smaller ones, especially in informal settlements, where they now manufacture illegal ones, where there is no visibility on the part of KRA and there is no genuine KEBS tag, and then they misuse their certified company to release the illegal alcohol to the market,” Murkomen added.
The Interior CS also raised concern over the licensing of bars, particularly those selling wines and spirits.
He noted that most of these establishments operate within restaurants but remain open 24 hours a day, creating an environment where both legitimate and second-generation alcohol is easily propagated.
Murkomen reminded the public that when the current administration took office in 2022, one of its top priorities was to tackle the issue of adulterated alcohol and illegal brews.
He said significant progress has been made between 2023 and 2024 but acknowledged that much more still needs to be done to completely address the menace.