Murkomen hails progress in Central as govt steps up war on illicit alcohol
By Mustafa Juma, August 22, 2025Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has praised the ongoing efforts to combat illicit brews and drug abuse in the Central region.
Taking to his official X account on Thursday, August 21, 2025, Murkomen noted that the area remains largely peaceful as authorities intensify enforcement measures.
The former Transport CS, who is on his final leg of the Jukwaa la Usalama tour of the region, said the successes recorded so far are the result of strong cooperation between citizens, the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), and security agencies.
“As we conclude our Jukwaa la Usalama tour of the Central region tomorrow, I engaged the media in Nyeri this evening on cross-cutting local and national issues. The Central region is largely peaceful, and the fight against illicit brews and drugs is progressing well due to the close working relationship between Wananchi, NGAOs, and security agencies,” Murkomen stated.
Sting operation
Murkomen added that a multiagency crackdown is underway to pursue unscrupulous businesspeople still engaged in the sale of illicit alcohol, adulterated ethanol, and cannabis.
He emphasised that the government is committed to ensuring that those behind the illegal trade face the full force of the law.
The CS further urged communities to remain vigilant and continue supporting the authorities by reporting those engaged in the illegal business.
“Work is in progress, through a multiagency approach, to bring to book unscrupulous businesspeople who still sell illicit alcohol, adulterated ethanol, and cannabis in the region,” he stated.
The government’s Jukwaa la Usalama initiative is a nationwide security engagement forum designed to bring together leaders, enforcement agencies, and residents to find lasting solutions to crime, drug abuse, and other security challenges.
Murkomen will wrap up the Central region tour on Friday, August 22, 2025, after which the programme will move to other parts of the country.
Multi-agency team
The government has since established a special police unit to spearhead the nationwide crackdown on illicit alcohol, narcotics, and adulterated ethanol.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the devastating impact of illegal brews and drug abuse in various parts of the country.
Speaking on Thursday, August 21, 2025, during the Jukwa la Usalama Nyeri edition, Murkomen announced the formation of a national multi-agency team tasked with conducting coordinated sting operations, targeting manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of illicit substances across all counties.
“We have agreed at the security meeting with the IG and the CEO of NACADA that we are going to establish a special multi-agency team that will include KEBS and KRA, among other agencies, to work together to ensure compliance,” Murkomen revealed.
The CS vowed to ensure continuous crackdowns until the vice is decimated, not only in Central but also in other parts of the country where the establishments are operating with illegal licences or none.