The National Police Service (NPS) has stepped up operations against illicit alcohol, carrying out fresh crackdowns on illegal brewing dens in Kisumu, Machakos and Kirinyaga counties.

In a statement dated April 9, 2026, the Service said the operations form part of a sustained national campaign aimed at dismantling unregulated production and distribution networks linked to harmful alcohol.

According to the police, officers confiscated significant quantities of illicit brews, including chang’aa and makabo, during the latest raids.

Several persons of interest were arrested and are facing charges related to the illegal manufacture, possession and sale of unlicensed alcohol.

“Operations targeting illicit brews and illegal substances continue to gain momentum across the country, reflecting a sustained and coordinated effort by the National Police Service and other state agencies to curb the production, distribution and consumption of harmful alcohol,” NPS stated.

Operations across three counties

During the operations, officers raided suspected brewing dens and recovered large volumes of the illicit drinks believed to have been intended for distribution within local communities.

Authorities noted that illegal brews such as chang’aa and makabo are frequently produced using crude methods and unregulated ingredients, posing serious health risks to consumers.

The National Police Service said the suspects arrested during the operations are being processed and will be arraigned in court to face charges under laws governing the production and sale of alcohol.

The Service added that similar operations will continue in other parts of the country as police intensify surveillance and enforcement against illegal brewing activities.

Previous operations

The latest crackdown follows a recent operation in Soweto, Nairobi, where police destroyed about 2,000 litres of kangara, another illicit local brew.

During that raid, authorities also destroyed brewing equipment used in the production of the alcohol.

Police said the operation was part of a wider effort to disrupt supply chains associated with illegal brews and curb the distribution of harmful alcohol in urban settlements.

Illicit brews such as chang’aa, makabo and kangara have previously been linked to cases of alcohol poisoning in different parts of the country.

Government agencies have repeatedly warned that such drinks may contain dangerous substances and are often produced without any quality control or regulation.

Sustained campaign

The National Police Service said the operations are being conducted through intelligence-led raids and in collaboration with local communities.

Police officers have been targeting illegal brewing dens located in residential areas, bushes and informal settlements, where the drinks are often produced and distributed.

The Service said it will continue to intensify surveillance and conduct targeted operations to dismantle illegal brewing networks across the country.

Authorities have also called on members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspected illicit brewing activities within their communities.

The crackdown is part of broader efforts by the government and law enforcement agencies to address the production, sale and consumption of illicit alcohol in the country.