Nairobi: Pre-Dawn NACADA Operation Crushes Kangara Den, Seizes 10k Litres of Illicit Drink
- A pre-dawn raid in Nairobi’s Kahawa West saw over 10,000 litres of toxic Kangara destroyed as brewers fled into the darkness
- The operation, led by NACADA and a multi-agency security team, targeted Soweto village, a notorious hub for illicit brewing
- Officers uncovered a vast brewing infrastructure, seizing chang’aa and dismantling tanks and drums to cripple the illegal trade
- NACADA’s CEO Anthony Omerikwa hailed the crackdown as a warning to illicit brewers, urging Kenyans to report suspicious activities
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
A major illicit alcohol den in Nairobi’s Kahawa West has been dismantled in a pre-dawn raid that saw over 10,000 litres of toxic Kangara poured into the sewers.
Source: UGC
The Saturday, August 23 morning operation was led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and executed with precision by a multi-agency security team.
The swoop took place in Soweto village, an informal settlement notorious for illicit brewing in the capital.
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It was part of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s 100-day rapid results initiative, which aims to eradicate killer brews from communities across the country.
What did NACADA find in their raid?
According to NACADA, the raid was intelligence-led and began at exactly 5am, taking the brewers by surprise.
Officers drawn from NACADA’s enforcement unit, the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), and the Nairobi Regional Police Command stormed the brewing hub.
Startled brewers abandoned their operation and fled into the darkness, leaving behind a massive stash of deadly concoctions.
Inside the den, officers found a large-scale illegal brewing operation. Thirty jerricans, each holding twenty litres of ready-to-sell Chang’aa, were seized and destroyed on site.
Even more telling was the elaborate infrastructure uncovered at the scene that included vast boiling tanks and plastic drums, used in distilling Kangara, which were dismantled and destroyed to ensure the site could not be revived.
What is NACADA's plea to Kenyans?
The raid lasted more than three hours and was concluded by 8:30am with no casualties or injuries reported.
Speaking after the operation, NACADA chief executive officer Anthony Omerikwa commended the coordinated action, calling it a strong warning to those profiting from toxic brews.
"This crackdown is a clear signal to the peddlers of death that their days are numbered. The Authority is working closely with all multi-agency teams across the country to ensure full implementation of the CS's directive with the broader goal of ensuring the country is safe from the harms of illicit and counterfeited alcohol,” he stated.
Omerikwa emphasised that the fight against illicit alcohol was not confined to enforcement agencies alone.
Source: UGC
He called on members of the public to play a more active role in supporting the government’s efforts to eradicate the vice.
"We thank the CS for his leadership. We now urge every Kenyan to be our eyes and ears. Share information with your local authorities or use our toll-free, 24-hour hotline, 1192. Together, we will reclaim our communities from this scourge," he added.
What are NACADA's new proposals?
Earlier, NACADA clarified that its new alcohol policy recommendations are just that, guidance, not enforceable laws.
The proposals, unveiled July 30, included raising the legal drinking age to 21, banning online alcohol sales, home deliveries, and celebrity endorsements, and limiting alcohol outlets near schools, churches, and residential areas.
NACADA stressed that these measures are subject to the standard legislative review process, including public participation and stakeholder consultations.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
