3 arrested over illicit brew in Eldoret
Police in Uasin Gishu County are holding three persons of interest following an operation in Tarakwa ward that targeted a house linked to the production of illicit brew.
According to Uasin Gishu County police commander Benjamin Mwanthi, on Friday, February 27, 2026, the persons of interest, two women and a man, had been conducting the illegal production just a kilometre away from Kondoo police station.
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“We were tipped off by members of the public about a house in Tarakwa that was involved in the production of illicit brew. Upon raiding the vicinity, we arrested three people and a consignment of other materials used in facilitating the dubious business,” Mwanthi stated.
Police confiscated 10 litres of ethanol, fake stamps, and 1040 bottles used for packaging counterfeit brands that mimicked genuine local brands on the market.
“We encourage members of the public and local administration officers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Production of illicit brew is illegal and poses health risks to consumers,” Mwanthi added.
Meanwhile, planned demonstrations by a section of activists and members of the Eldoret community to push for the removal of the Central Police Station OCS over failure to tame rogue groups in town failed to take place.
A last-minute meeting between the police leadership and the organisers saw the postponement of the demos as a commitment to addressing the concerns.
There was a heavy presence of police in Eldoret on Friday morning, February 27, 2026, ahead of the planned demos, coming on the heels of an incident in which a former nominated MCA, Edwin Mosoi, was attacked by goons linked to politicians.
Busia incident
This comes a few days after police officers from Busia County arrested a woman in possession of at least eighty litres of illicit brew at her homestead.
In a post on the National Police Service Official X account on Friday, January 9, 2025, the officers further confirmed that the team had recovered at least 1,725 litres of Kangara.
According to the officers, the operation led by County Commander Abdille Ahmed was conducted in the Nasewa area of Busia County.
“Yesterday, officers from Busia Police Station, led by County Commander Abdille Ahmed, CP, conducted a targeted operation against illicit alcohol in the Nasewa area,” NPS said.
At the time of the operation, the officers confirmed that the key person of interest was found in possession of approximately 80 litres of a substance believed to be Chang’aa at her homestead.
At the same time, the officers swiftly moved to destroy the hundreds of litres of Kangara recovered during the operation.
“During the operation, one suspect was arrested after she was found in possession of approximately 80 litres of a substance believed to be Chang’aa at her homestead. In addition, 1,725 litres of Kangara were recovered and subsequently destroyed,” NPS stated.
