Police in Machakos County have arrested 19 suspects and seized hundreds of litres of illicit alcohol following an intelligence-led operation targeting the production and distribution of illegal brews.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), the operation was conducted on August 15, 2026, at a homestead in Misuuni Village, Mumbuni Location, Machakos County, as part of intensified efforts to combat the manufacture and sale of illicit alcoholic drinks.
During the raid, officers from Machakos Police Station recovered 60 litres of chang'aa and 710 litres of kang'ara, two types of illicit brews commonly associated with illegal alcohol production. The officers also seized 25 kilogrammes of ammonium chloride, 10 kilogrammes of sugar and assorted brewing equipment believed to have been used in the production of the illegal substances.
The recovered alcohol amounted to 770 litres, highlighting the scale of the operation and the materials allegedly involved in the illicit brewing activities.
The 19 suspects were arrested at the scene and escorted to Machakos Police Station, where they were placed in police custody pending arraignment in court. Police also detained the recovered alcohol and brewing apparatus to serve as exhibits as the matter proceeds through the relevant legal processes.
The National Police Service said the operation was part of its continued commitment to dismantling networks involved in the production, distribution and consumption of illicit brews. The service has repeatedly warned against illegal alcohol production, citing the risks such products pose to public health and safety.
The latest arrests come amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the circulation of unregulated alcoholic drinks and disrupt the activities of individuals involved in their manufacture and distribution.
In its statement shared on its official X page, the NPS commended members of the public for their cooperation with law enforcement officers and urged residents to remain vigilant by reporting suspected criminal activities.
The service encouraged Kenyans to report suspicious or illegal activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency toll-free numbers, 999 and 911. Members of the public can also share information with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) through the Fichua Kwa DCI toll-free line on 0800 722 203 or via WhatsApp on 0709 570 000.
The police said public cooperation remains essential in the fight against illicit brews and other criminal activities, urging residents to continue providing information that could help authorities identify and dismantle illegal operations.
