Police in Murang’a county Thursday evening raided a residential house, which is under construction and seized various brands of counterfeit liquor.
Inside the house at Gituamba Village of Ithanga/Kakuzi Sub County, the officers also recovered equipment used to manufacture the contrabands.
At the same time, during the operation led by Murang’a County Police Commander David Mathiu, the multi-agency team discovered KRA and KEBS stickers, which were used to label the counterfeit liquor brands.
The operation also included officials from companies licensed to manufacture liquor, which have been affected by the presence of the contrabands in the market.
Mathiu said they recovered seven brands of contrabands with an estimated cost of about Sh1.5 million.
Along the distillation machines, there were also 15 jerricans of ethanol and other chemicals used to manufacture the liquor.
“We got a tip off from members of the public about what was going on in this building and immediately organized a raid, but unfortunately we did not get anyone at the place. The distillation used to take place especially at night, with the workers being transported all the way from Thika to this place,” noted Mathiu.
He continued, “the palatial house which has been under construction for the last six months, has a perimeter wall, thus it was difficult to suspect what was going on in the building.”
Mathiu said they are pursuing the house owner and all other people who are behind such illegal businesses, warning that those found manufacturing and selling illicit and counterfeit liquor will face the full force of the law.
“We will collaborate with members of the public among other players to end this illegal business. Its unfortunate people are being sold counterfeit alcoholic brands even at established and licensed bars,” he stated.
The police commander further noted that Thursday morning police intercepted a lorry ferrying counterfeit liquor brands at Kenol, probably from the same house, where the driver was arrested to assist with investigations.
Residents interviewed by KNA said activities at the building were handled with extreme care as the workers were transported to and from the house by a private vehicle.
“The operations have been suspicious as the construction takes place at night, when people have gone to bed. We have always wondered: why would one opt to construct his house at night?” posed one of the local residents, Thomas Mwangangi.
Meanwhile, Mathiu has said security officers will not relent in the fight against illicit and counterfeit brews in the county, warning that all unscrupulous persons involved in the trade will be brought to book.
By Bernard Munyao
