Police in Nanyuki have intensified their crackdown on illicit alcohol, arresting one more individual and recovering 54 litres of chang’aa in a fresh operation barely a day after a similar raid.

In a statement posted on their X account on August 24, 2025, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that officers from Nanyuki Police Station, acting on intelligence, conducted a raid in Likii Estate, Laikipia East Sub-County, where they seized the illegal brew.

“Yesterday evening, police officers from Nanyuki Police Station in Laikipia East Sub-County, Laikipia County, conducted a successful intelligence-led operation in the Likii Estate,” NPS stated.

While giving details of the raid, NPS confirmed that the arrested individual is currently being processed at Nanyuki Police Station.

“During the operation, officers recovered 54 litres of illicit alcohol, suspected to be chang’aa. One individual was arrested and taken to the station for processing,” the statement read.

The police further noted that the seized liquor has been secured as evidence and assured the public that similar operations will continue in the fight against substance abuse.

“The recovered exhibits have been secured as evidence, and operations against illicit and dangerous drugs are ongoing. The National Police Service appreciates the public’s support and encourages continued collaboration in the fight against drug and substance abuse,” the statement added.

Previous raid

This latest swoop follows an earlier raid on the same day, during which two individuals were arrested in a similar crackdown within Likii Estate and Ichuga Shopping Centre.

In a statement released on their X account on August 23, 2025, the NPS disclosed that during that operation, police recovered three litres of chang’aa and 100 rolls of narcotic drugs.

“Police officers from Nanyuki Police Station in Laikipia East Sub-County, today conducted an intelligence-led operation within Likii Estate and Ichuga Shopping Centre,” the NPS stated.

“During the operation, officers recovered three litres of an illicit brew suspected to be chang’aa and 100 rolls of narcotic drugs. Two individuals were arrested and escorted to the station for further processing,” they added.

Murkomen’s directive

The back-to-back operations come in the wake of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s recent directive ordering security agencies across the country to intensify the war against illicit alcohol and drugs.

Speaking at the Jukwa la Usalama Nyeri event on Thursday, August 21, 2025, 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 stated.

The Cabinet Secretary vowed to continue crackdowns until the issue is eradicated, not only in Central Kenya but also in other regions where businesses operate without proper licenses.

“Where we feel the need to reinforce, the national team will be called in to support this issue of alcohol in our country,” he stated.