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Tutazifunga! Mosiria declares war on chang’aa and unlicensed nightclubs
11th March, 2026 06:28 AM
Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geoffrey Mosiria has declared a fresh war on illegal alcohol and unlicensed entertainment joints in the capital, warning that rogue operators will soon face closure and legal action.
In a statement shared through his X account on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Mosiria raised concern over the growing number of clubs and liquor outlets operating without proper licences, many of which he said are selling harmful alcohol to unsuspecting residents. According to the county official, the situation has become alarming, with some operators prioritising profits while ignoring the health and safety of their customers.
Mosiria said it is disturbing to see Nairobi residents consuming dangerous brews such as adulterated chang’aa and other illicit alcohol sold in illegal clubs and bars. He noted that many of the establishments operate outside the law, without licences, regulatory checks or safety standards. Mosiria made it clear that the county government will not sit back and watch as residents risk their lives in the name of cheap liquor.
The chief officer warned that Nairobi County enforcement teams will intensify inspections and shut down clubs that fail to comply with licensing regulations. Operators found selling illicit alcohol or running entertainment joints illegally will face arrests and prosecution as part of the ongoing crackdown.
“Ni uchungu sana kuona watu wanakunywa chang’aa na pombe mbaya. Wenye kuuza, they don’t care about you. Hapa ni club zenye hazina license and operating illegally! Tutazifunga zote na kuwachukulia hatua,” Mosiria stated.
Loosely translated as;
“It is very painful to see people drinking chang’aa and other harmful alcohol. Those selling it don’t care about you. These are clubs that have no license and are operating illegally. We will close all of them and take action against them.”
Long-standing problem
Illicit brews remain a long-standing problem in Kenya. Drinks such as Chang’aa, a potent traditional spirit distilled from grains like maize or sorghum, are widely consumed because they are cheap and readily available. However, illegally brewed versions are often adulterated with toxic substances to increase potency, a practice that has previously caused blindness and deaths due to methanol poisoning.
Authorities say such dangerous concoctions are frequently brewed in hidden locations using contaminated water or harmful chemicals, putting consumers at serious health risk.
The renewed push by Nairobi County also aligns with a broader national campaign against illicit alcohol and drug abuse. In recent months, security agencies have carried out multi-agency raids across several counties, destroying thousands of litres of illegal brews and dismantling brewing dens linked to criminal networks.
Beyond the health risks, authorities say unlicensed clubs have also become hotspots for insecurity, noise pollution and underage drinking.
