Police have seized 22,000 litres of suspected Ethanol in Nyahururu.
The DCI Director Mohamed Amin said in a statement Tuesday evening the consignment was being transported from the border town to Nairobi when dectecives intercepted the cargo being feried in a truck and arrested two suspects.
He said the intelligence-led operation was mounted by detectives from Nyahururu.
"The Nyahururu subcounty head of criminal investigations swiftly led a team of detectives to intercept a truck freighting 88 drums (250L capacity) of ethanol, which were concealed using construction blocks."
The top sleuth said that upon the seizure, the officers established that the truck had been hired to ferry beans from Malaba border to Nairobi via the Nakuru-Gilgil-Naivasha route, but the vehicle was diverted to the Nakuru-Nyahururu-Nyeri highway.
"The suspects made unsuccessful attempts to flee after being flagged down, and were taken to custody," Amin said.
A multi-agency team comprising members of the subcounty security team and KRA South Rift officials have since documented the exhibits.
He said the seized consignment and the suspects were transported to the Nakuru KRA bonded warehouse for further legal processes.
Ethanol is a clear, colourless liquid with a fragrant odour and a "burning" taste whose diluted form is found in beer, wine, and spirits.
It is also used as an industrial chemical for the production of solvents and cosmetics and beauty products among other uses.
To prevent ethanol from being misused in the production of illegal alcohol, the government implemented strict measures for manufacturers and importers.
In August 2015, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) introduced new regulations which dictate that any person intending to import ethanol will have to give their quarterly usage projections
Ethanol importers would also be required to seek clearance from KRA and declare their cargo a week before its arrival.
The cargo will be strictly transported using vehicles fitted with electronic tracking devices, the taxman said.
Illegal and unregulated use of ethanol in preparation of illicit brew by unscrupulous traders has in the past resulted in deaths, and in some less extreem side effects, blindness.
