Illegal brewery discovered hidden in a Nyahururu forest

Administration officers from Nyahururu Sub County have seized over 2000 litres of illicit brew at Ngufa River within Shamanek Forest in an on-ongoing crackdown.

The security officers stormed into the illegal brewery and seized distilleries and other manufacturing items hidden deep in the valleys of the forest following a tip-off from members of the public.

However, the operation led by Nyahururu District AP Commander Daniel Masaba, Mutitu Location Chief Eston Maina and his Kiamaina counterpart Joseph Muraya Waithaka came with its own share of challenges as they were forced to walk over 10km of rough terrain into the forest before they came across the brewing den.

According to Masaba, the operation kicked off at around 3:00 am since the terrain was rough and they had to ensure they managed to get to the site in time before it was relocated.

However, the suspects managed to escape the police dragnet since they were able to identify them from a distant.

He said the manufacturers were brewing the liquor far into the forest because they didn’t think they could be found out.

They then transport the ready drink to Kiamiana village, Manguo, Nyahururu and other neighbouring centres within the region.

Masaba said despite the challenges, the raids would continue to ensure the war against manufacture, sale and consumption of the illicit brews is won.

He also called on members of the public to come on board and assist the officers in the fight against the killer brews as it was evident that the illegal brewers were changing tactics.

On his part, Chief Eston Maina commended residents who gave information on the distilling center to the police.

“We will not allow illegal alcohol to be sold, the war must be won,” he said.

In March, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho sacked eight chiefs in Thika over failure to manage the illicit brew menace in their locations.

Speaking to residents in Thika, Kibicho warned administrators against participating in the vice, adding that the move was targeted at chiefs who had failed to tame the trade in illicit brews in their locations.

This came hot in the heels of the sacking of another administrator in Nakuru County after he was caught on camera drunk, apparently from consuming illicit brew.

The administrator was caught drunk during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to Molo last week and the video clip circulated widely on social media.

There have been heightened operations against illicit brew – an effort spearheaded by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.

In this second phase of the crackdown, several chiefs and their assistants from Mt. Kenyan region have been fired.