The National Police Service (NPS) has stepped up efforts to tackle illegal alcohol production in Homa Bay County.

On October 2, 2025, police officers from Kendubay Police Station, supported by National Government Administration Officers, conducted a major raid in the Maguti area along Lake Victoria. The operation targeted clandestine brewing sites responsible for producing harmful homemade alcohol.

“A multi-agency team comprising police officers from Kendubay Police Station and National Government Administration Officers conducted an operation yesterday in the Maguti area, along the shores of Lake Victoria, targeting illicit brewing activities,” read the NPS statement dated October 3, 2025.

During the raid, authorities destroyed over 12,000 liters of Kangara, a notorious illicit brew, along with assorted brewing equipment. Officers emphasised that these efforts are part of a sustained campaign to dismantle networks involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal spirits, which have long been linked to health emergencies and social problems across the country.

“During the raid, the team destroyed more than 12,000 litres of Kangara and assorted brewing paraphernalia used to produce the illegal spirits.”

Visual documentation from the operation showed officers pouring the orange-brown liquid from rusted drums into the muddy lakeside, highlighting the scale and secretive nature of these operations.

The NPS commended the officers and partner agencies for their dedication and encouraged the public to report suspicious brewing activities to nearby police stations, stressing the importance of community cooperation in tackling the vice.

The operation will continue as part of sustained efforts to eliminate illicit brews in the region, noted the NPS in their statement.

Wider anti-drug and alcohol efforts

This crackdown follows another police operation in Bondo Sub-County on October 2, 2025. Officers intercepted a motorcycle along the Bondo–Ratiya Road carrying 65 brooms of suspected cannabis sativa, valued at Ksh 32,500. The rider was arrested while the pillion passenger escaped. The seized drugs are in police custody awaiting formal arraignment.

Community role in enforcement

Police officials stressed that sustained results require active citizen engagement. Residents are urged to report illegal brewing or drug-related activities to help protect public health and safety.

Through coordinated operations, the NPS continues to demonstrate its commitment to public safety, aiming to reduce health risks and reinforce law and order in vulnerable regions.