Interior Ministry Names Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western as Top Hotspots for Fake Alcohol Trade

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has identified Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western Kenya as the three regions most affected by the sale and distribution of fake and illegal alcohol in the country.

In a statement released on Wednesday, April 15, the ministry said a recent nationwide crackdown led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) led to the seizure and destruction of 2.8 million litres of illicit brews.

The operation, which covered several counties, targeted manufacturers, distributors and sellers involved in the dangerous trade.

According to the ministry’s findings, Rift Valley recorded the highest amount of seized illegal alcohol at 800,000 litres. It was followed by Nyanza with 690,000 litres, while Western Kenya came third with 600,000 litres.

These figures show that the three regions remain the biggest centres for the production and circulation of counterfeit and unsafe alcoholic drinks.

The ministry further noted that several counties within these regions have become major hotspots in the illegal alcohol business.

Among the counties singled out were Kisii, Kakamega, Nakuru and West Pokot, where security and enforcement teams have made major recoveries during recent raids.

Authorities say these areas continue to raise concern due to the high number of cases linked to fake brew production and sales.

“Analysis of the seizures shows that the problem is heavily concentrated in the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western regions, which contributed the biggest share of the recovered volumes.

Counties such as Kisii, Kakamega, Nakuru and West Pokot have emerged as major hotspots,” the ministry said.

In Nairobi County, officers also recovered and destroyed 309,000 litres of illicit alcohol, showing that the problem is still widespread even in the capital city.

Meanwhile, Central, Coast and Eastern regions recorded the lowest amounts of seized illegal brews, suggesting that enforcement efforts in those areas may be yielding positive results.

Officials linked the lower volumes in Central and Coastal regions to consistent crackdowns, stronger surveillance and better compliance with licensing laws by traders and bar operators.

The ministry added that North Eastern region reported the fewest cases, making it one of the least affected parts of the country.

“Central and Coastal regions, where there has been sustained enforcement, have recorded relatively lower volumes, while the North Eastern region has seen minimal cases,” the statement added.

The ministry explained that the latest crackdown is part of a wider government plan after drug and substance abuse was declared a national development and security emergency.

This declaration has pushed security agencies and administrators across the country to intensify efforts aimed at protecting communities, especially young people, from harmful and illegal substances.

Following the directive, police and other security agencies have stepped up surveillance, inspections, intelligence gathering and coordinated raids in different parts of the country.

The renewed operations are mainly targeting illegal brew manufacturers, transporters, distributors and retail sellers believed to be fueling the dangerous trade.

The government says the fight against fake alcohol will continue as part of ongoing efforts to protect public health, improve community safety and dismantle criminal networks profiting from the sale of unsafe drinks.

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