Police seize over 12K litres of illicit brews in Kisii multi-agency crackdown
Police have confiscated over 12,000 litres of illicit brews following a multi-agency crackdown in Kisii County.
The National Police Service (NPS), in a statement issued via social media on Friday, June 6, 2025, said that 12,550 litres of Kangara and 70 litres of Chang’aa had been seized during the operation conducted in Bomaina Sub-Location, Kisii South Sub-County.
“A multi-agency team comprising officers from the National Police Service and the National Government Administration Officers today conducted a successful operation in Bomaina Sub-Location, Kisii South Sub-County, seizing approximately 12,550 litres of Kangara and 70 litres of Chang’aa,” the statement read in part.
Homes targeted
The operation targeted two residential homesteads in the Riotachi and Motonto areas, where authorities uncovered the illicit brews hidden in large barrels.
The NPS, alongside National Government Administration Officers, spearheaded the crackdown, with Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui and Kisii South Sub-County Police Commander Inviolata Lumati leading the charge.
Photos from the scene that have been shared by the NPS show officers in camouflage gear carefully inspecting the barrels, some buried in the ground to evade detection, surrounded by dense vegetation.
Two on the run
The NPS is now on the hunt for two suspects connected to the homesteads, who managed to slip away during the raid. Authorities are doubling down on their efforts, urging residents to report suspicious brewing activities.
“The operation, led by Kisii County Police Commander Mr. Ronald Kirui, CP and Kisii South Sub-County Police Commander Ms. Inviolata Imali Lumati, SSP, targeted two residential homesteads in the Riotachi and Motonto areas of Kisii County. Concerted efforts are underway to apprehend two suspects connected to the homesteads where the illicit brews were discovered. The National Police Service reaffirms its commitment to intensifying the crackdown on the production and distribution of illicit alcohol, which poses a serious threat to public health and safety,” NPS stated.
This latest operation comes on the heels of another successful raid in Nairobi’s Kibera slum, where 2,350 litres of illicit liquor were seized on May 31, 2025.
Police from Kangemi Police Post also teamed up with the Area Chief of Thunguma Location on June 5, 2025 and seized litres of illicit brew near River Chania.
They found 360 litres of Kangara, a dangerous homemade booze, hidden in thick bushes along the riverbank. No one was nabbed at the scene, but the police poured out the brew and smashed the containers to make sure they couldn’t be used again.
Just last month, on May 24, police in Kisii’s Kiogoro area arrested four suspects and destroyed thousands of litres of similar brews.
