Three arrested as NACADA raids Naivasha outlets over counterfeit alcohol

Three suspects have been arrested following a raid by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in a weekend operation that dismantled a major alcohol counterfeiting network in Naivasha.

The coordinated multi-agency crackdown targeted three establishments suspected of manufacturing and distributing counterfeit alcoholic drinks.

Officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the National Police Service (NPS), and the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) took part in the simultaneous raids.

Authorities seized large quantities of suspected illicit alcohol, with samples forwarded to the Government Chemist for analysis to confirm their composition and potential toxicity.

The operation followed persistent complaints from Naivasha residents over the circulation of dangerous, unregulated brews. Naivasha’s strategic position along the Rift Valley corridor and its busy tourism and transport links have made it a focal point for illegal alcohol networks.

NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa linked the intensified enforcement to findings in the recently launched Jukwaa la Usalama report, which flagged alcohol and drug abuse as a growing threat to public safety.

He noted that some bars in the area were allegedly selling mislabelled ethanol-based drinks, in some cases packaged in small 10ml quantities, contravening the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act.

With the festive season approaching, NACADA says it will maintain heightened surveillance and enforcement to curb the production and sale of counterfeit alcohol.

The Authority is urging members of the public to report suspected illicit alcohol activities through its toll-free hotline 1192.