KENYA : Authorities Seize Over 8,000 Litres Of Suspected Illicit Ethanol Hidden Beneath Milk Cartons

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

More than 8,000 litres of what is believed to be illegal ethanol were confiscated in Webuye, Bungoma County, following a joint operation spearheaded by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).

The ethanol, transported in a lorry loaded with 35 containers of a clear liquid, was discovered concealed under boxes labeled as milk.

The seizure is part of a wider crackdown targeting the illegal production and movement of unregulated substances.

Speaking at the scene, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa stressed the danger such operations pose to public well-being.

He stated that the agency would relentlessly pursue those behind the manufacture and distribution of illegal alcohol, adding that under anti-money laundering laws, the assets of suspects would also be targeted.

Samples from the haul have been submitted to the Government Chemist for analysis.

Initial findings suggest the ethanol was likely intended for use in brewing illicit alcohol, a growing issue in the region.

Dr. Omerikwa applauded the effective collaboration among NACADA, the local police, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), calling it a model of how inter-agency teamwork can produce results.

He emphasized the need for better intelligence exchange among state agencies, pointing out that criminal networks often exploit communication breakdowns.

He further called on members of the public to report any suspicious activity through NACADA’s toll-free line, 1192, highlighting the role of community involvement in tackling the problem.

Authorities are still investigating the source and intended destination of the seized ethanol as efforts continue to dismantle syndicates fueling the illegal alcohol trade in Kenya.