Multi‑Agency crackdown on illicit alcohol and drugs intensifies in Uasin Gishu

Multi-Agency Teams Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Brews and Drugs in Uasin Gishu
A major multi-agency security operation targeting illicit alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse is underway in Uasin Gishu County, leading to a series of raids and arrests. The crackdown, which involves officers from the National Police Service, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and public health officials, is part of a broader national initiative to dismantle the networks manufacturing, distributing, and selling harmful substances. The operation has seen the confiscation of thousands of liters of second-generation alcohol and counterfeit drinks, alongside other banned drugs.
The security teams have conducted sweeping raids in bars, entertainment spots, and residential estates across the county, particularly focusing on areas identified as hotspots. A key part of the operation involves verifying the validity of manufacturers’ stamps from the KRA to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits. County Commissioner Dr. Eddyson Nyale stated that the operation is intelligence-driven and will be sustained. We are not just after the retailers; we are pursuing the entire chain, from the source to the consumer. Our goal is to completely wipe out this trade that is destroying our youth, Dr. Nyale affirmed.
The crackdown has been met with widespread support from local leaders, parents, and religious organizations, who have long decried the devastating social and economic impacts of alcohol and drug abuse in the community. Many cite the rise in crime, domestic violence, and a loss of productivity among the youth as direct consequences of the illicit trade. These substances have destroyed families and left many young people with no future. This operation is a welcome relief, and we urge the government to make it permanent, said a community elder from the Langas estate.
The intensification of the crackdown in Uasin Gishu aligns with directives from the national government, signaling a renewed commitment to the vice. Authorities have warned that bar owners found operating without valid licenses or selling contraband will face immediate closure and prosecution. As the operation continues, the focus remains on not only enforcement but also on preventative measures, including public awareness campaigns on the dangers of substance abuse and the establishment of rehabilitation programs for those already addicted. The success of this sustained effort is seen as crucial for safeguarding the social fabric and future of the county’s younger generation.