Masengeli lauds Central region officers for war on illicit brews

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has commended police officers from the Central region for fighting against illicit brew.

He urged them to maintain the multi-agency teamwork with the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to help curb the use of illicit brew.

Masengeli met with the commanders of the Kenya Police Service, Administrative Police Service and Directorate of Criminal Investigations from the region on Friday.

He was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General KPS Eliud Lagat who reiterated his operational focus on improving service delivery at police stations.

On August 1, Interior PS Raymond Omollo disclosed that police had conducted 65,488 raids on liquor outlets since March.

Omollo said County Security teams had arrested 30,675 people during raids and enforcement activities as of June 30.

According to the PS, 358,000 litres of chang'aa, 2.7 million litres of kangara, 8,000 litres of ethanol and 389 shisha bongs had also been seized.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been reiterating that the efforts to combat illicit alcohol and drug abuse are guided by stringent measures adopted in March 2024.

Speaking on August 1, the DP said the government will not relent in its resolve to suppress the manufacture, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brews.

He said the 25 stringent directives announced by the government on March 6, 2024 to curb illicit brew, drug, and substance abuse in the country have been effective.

He said the country has registered gains after fresh vetting of the alcohol manufacturers.

"It is a huge win for this administration with zero cost. This is a war we cannot relent because it is good for the country and has been successful," Gachagua said.