Over 1,200 litres of kangara, chang’aa destroyed in Muhoroni crackdown

Police have intensified nationwide crackdowns on illicit brews, with the latest operation in Muhoroni, Kisumu county, leading to the destruction of more than 1,200 litres of banned liquor.

The operation, conducted on Saturday in Kabar West, Muhoroni subcounty, saw officers destroy 1,200 litres of kangara and 80 litres of chang’aa, alongside assorted brewing equipment.

Police said the dawn raid was part of sustained efforts to stamp out illegal alcohol, which continues to pose serious public health and security risks.

The Muhoroni bust adds to a series of recent operations across the country that have resulted in the destruction of thousands of litres of illicit liquor.

On Wednesday, January 14, police in Nandi South subcounty raided a brewing den in Kapkerer village, where they discovered 3,680 litres of kangara and 20 litres of chang’aa being brewed in a bush along the escarpment bordering Nandi and Kisumu counties.

The suspects fled the scene, but police said they are pursuing them.

A day earlier, officers in Murang’a recovered a cache of illicit liquor in Kimori.

The haul included 144 cartons, all packaged in 250ml bottles, and bearing counterfeit Kenya Revenue Authority stamps.

No arrests were made during the operation, but police said a manhunt had been launched.

The renewed enforcement push follows high-level security meetings convened by Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat.

On Tuesday, January 13, Lagat met Regional Police Commanders and Unit Heads to review security operations during 2025 and the festive season, and to chart policing priorities for 2026.

Among the key agenda items were the fight against illicit brews and drugs, the dismantling of criminal gangs, enhancement of officers’ mental health, and the prudent use of police resources.

The meeting came a day after officers in Nandi South intensified operations targeting illegal brews, resulting in the seizure of 3,010 litres of kangara and 60 litres of chang’aa.

Four days earlier, on January 9, Lagat held a separate strategy meeting with Western Region police commanders, which triggered a series of coordinated operations across the region.

More than 50 suspects were arrested, while 1,196 litres of chang’aa and 1,195 litres of kangara were seized.

Police said that during the same operations, 873 litres of chang’aa and 50,900 litres of kangara were destroyed.

The crackdown followed Lagat’s tour of Nandi County police headquarters, where he assessed progress in combating illicit brews and held talks with Deputy Governor Yulita Cheruiyot to strengthen collaboration against illegal alcohol trade.

On that day, Western Region Police Commander Issa Mohammed led an operation in the Eregi area that resulted in the destruction of 50,000 litres of kangara and 613 litres of chang’aa.

Eight suspects were arrested, and an additional 350 litres of chang’aa seized.