Police in Meru County have intensified their crackdown on illicit alcohol after intercepting a motorcycle transporting 80 litres of the outlawed substance in Maua, Igembe South Sub-County.
According to a statement by the National Police Service (NPS), the operation was conducted on Tuesday during a routine patrol at Antubochiuo Location. Officers from Maua Police Station flagged down a motorcycle that was ferrying four large jerricans of an illicit brew commonly referred to as Naisu.
On noticing the officers, the rider abandoned the motorcycle and fled, disappearing into nearby bushes. Despite a brief chase, the suspect managed to escape. The motorcycle was confiscated, while the 80 litres of illicit liquor were secured as exhibits.
NPS confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest the suspect believed to be part of a wider network involved in the production and distribution of the toxic drink.
“The National Police Service reiterates its commitment to eradicating illicit brews and dangerous drugs, which continue to pose a serious threat to public health and safety,” the statement read.
Authorities have warned that such substances not only undermine legitimate businesses but also put lives at risk. In recent years, several cases of poisoning and deaths linked to toxic brews have been reported across various parts of Kenya, sparking nationwide campaigns against the menace.
Residents of Meru and other regions have been urged to cooperate with law enforcement by sharing information about individuals involved in the manufacture, transportation, and sale of outlawed alcohol. Police have assured the public that all tip-offs will be treated with strict confidentiality.
This latest seizure adds to a series of recent operations aimed at flushing out illicit alcohol dens and dismantling supply chains. The government, through NPS and other security agencies, has vowed to sustain the momentum until communities are free from harmful brews that ruin families and destroy the health of unsuspecting consumers.
