The war on illicit alcohol in Central Kenya has moved from the bars to the bedrooms. In a dawn raid in Kenol, Murang’a County, officers from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) uncovered a sophisticated counterfeit alcohol plant operating inside a residential mansion.

The raid, led by regional commanders, exposed a chilling reality: the "branded" spirits sold in local shops were being mixed in plastic drums using ethanol and undefined chemicals. Authorities seized thousands of liters of ethanol, fake Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamps, and bottle caps for popular gin and vodka brands.

Industrial Scale Poisoning

"This was not a small operation; this was an industry," said a NACADA spokesperson. "They were packaging poison and selling it as premium liquor." The discovery explains the spike in alcohol-related blindness and deaths in the region.

• The KRA Connection: The presence of rolls of fake excise stamps suggests a deep rot. The syndicate was not just evading taxes; they were bypassing all quality controls. The fake stamps allowed the deadly brew to sit on supermarket shelves undetected.
• The "One Man" Fight: Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has staked his political capital on eradicating illicit brew in Mt Kenya. This bust is a tactical win, but the scale of the factory suggests the supply chain is far more entrenched than the government admitted.

A Health Time Bomb

Samples of the seized liquid have been sent to the Government Chemist. Preliminary tests suggest high levels of methanol. For the residents of Murang'a, the raid is a terrifying confirmation that the enemy is within—operating right next door.