Police officers have arrested 221 people in the Nyanza Region following a sting operation, to crack down on illegal bars and illicit brews in the area.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner (RC), Flora Mworoa, said over 500 raids have been conducted in the area since the operation started, Thursday, last week with over 20 non-compliant establishments closed.
Officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Anti-counterfeit Authority (ACA), and County Government Liquor licensing officers, he added have been incorporated in the operation to rid the Region of illicit brews and narcotics, as directed by the government.
Security officers, she added, have intensified patrols along Lake Victoria to curb the transportation of illicit brews through the water body.
“We are aware that some of this alcohol comes to Kisumu and other counties through the Lake and we are intercepting the same,” she said.
She revealed that some of the illicit brews were being imported from the neighbouring Tanzania through the porous Isebania border, adding that plans were underway to hold meetings with the relevant agencies to address the concerns.
“We have contacted them and in the next two weeks, we expect to have a meeting so that we see how to work together to tackle this menace,” she said.
The RC asked those involved in the sale of alcohol, to comply with the enforcement teams to ensure that only establishments that have met all the requirements are allowed to operate.
Those who resist or attack security officers during the operation, she warned, will face the full force of the law.
“We have a case in Nyamira, where one of our chiefs was attacked and injured by a man who was found with illicit brew. The man and his son who committed the crime are at large, but we are looking for them,” she said.
She further directed all police officers involved in the operation, to remain vigilant and avoid any activities that will derail the targeted outcome of the exercise.
A Regional Security meeting, she said, has been scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday where all County Commissioners and Police Commanders will converge in Kisumu to address the challenges facing the operation.
By Chris Mahandara
