Police in Uasin Gishu County have launched investigations after intercepting what is suspected to be illegally manufactured ethanol inside a residential house in the Annex area, on the outskirts of Eldoret town.
According to authorities, the Thursday, 27 November, midday operation was conducted following a tip-off from members of the public who raised concerns over suspicious activities within the homestead.
Uasin Gishu County Security team, led by Commander Benjamin Mwanthi, has recovered nineteen jerrycans of substance believed to be ethanol, 30 boxes of the already distilled substance and 20 jerrycans of substance awaiting distillation.
” We received intelligence that this residence had been converted into an unlicensed production site. Upon entry, we found drums containing hundreds of litres of a substance suspected to be ethanol, as well as crude apparatus used for manufacturing and packaging. Samples will be taken for further forensic analysis,” he said.
Two suspects believed to be running the illegal alcohol brewing operation fled moments before the raid, prompting police to launch a manhunt to track them down.
Commander Mwanthi has described the raid as a breakthrough in the fight against illicit brew and illegal chemical processing, not only within the residential areas but also those on transit, citing the fight against illegal activity as a top security priority.
He has urged the citizens to remain cautious of their intake, most especially during the festivities
“We know that the illegal operation could have been supplying ethanol to unlicensed brewers within Eldoret and the neighbouring counties. Illegal brews pose a potential public health risk. All citizens should be extra vigilant now that the festivities are here,” he added.
The County Directorate of Criminal Investigation Officer, Daniel Muleli, further issued a warning to alcohol outlets in Uasin Gishu, disclosing that a major crackdown, led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, will be conducted across all sub-counties.
”As the crackdown continues, licensing of all outlets will kick off next week. No single outlet with pending cases in court or those identified during the crackdown will receive a business permit,” warned Muleli.
Muleli called on residents to always be at the forefront in the fight against drugs and substance abuse and report any suspicious activities, most especially in residential areas, which have become a brewing hub.
Meanwhile, the recovered substance and brewing equipment have been transported to the Sukunanga Police Station as investigations continue.
