MARSABIT – Security officers in Marsabit County have seized approximately 12,000 litres of illicit brews during an operation conducted in the Jirime area on the outskirts of Marsabit town.
Speaking after the operation, NAGADA Coordinator Mohamed Wako said the crackdown was conducted in line with the presidential directive on the ongoing Rapid Result Initiative (RRI) against illicit brews and substance abuse.
Wako said the operation was carried out through coordination between Nagada, the County Commissioner’s office, the National Police Service, the area administration and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
He noted that the recovery was made seven days after the launch of the 100-day RRI campaign in the county.
Wako said the officers managed to recover and destroy about 12,000 litres of an illicit brew commonly known as Kangara, which is used in the production of an illicit brew commonly known as chang’aa. The suspects believed to have been operating the illegal brewing site, however, were not found when the officers arrived.
According to Wako, the operation followed intelligence provided by members of the public and the area chief concerning suspected illicit brewing activities in the Jirime area.
He said the crackdown would continue throughout the 100-day RRI period, adding that authorities would not relent in their efforts to eradicate or significantly reduce illicit brewing and drug abuse in the county.
“We will continue cracking down on those involved in illicit drugs until the cases of illicit brewing and drugs are stopped or significantly reduced in the county,” Wako said.
Wako expressed concern over the impact of illicit brews and drugs on young people in Marsabit County. He urged members of the public to take an active role in reporting illegal brewing and drug-related activities to the authorities.
He warned about the dangers of substance abuse among young people, noting that the human brain continues developing into the mid-twenties and that substance abuse during the developmental years can have serious consequences.
The operation comes shortly after the launch of the 100-day RRI campaign in Marsabit County. Wako said that following the launch last week, officers conducted another operation over the weekend in which they recovered 85 litres of kangara and 45 litres of chang’aa.
Marsabit Central Sub County Police commander Beethoven Gachago confirmed the operation, saying it was conducted following intelligence received from members of the public.
He said the operation involved coordination between the police, Nagada and the DCI.
Gachago said the officers recovered approximately 12,000 litres of kangara, which he said is commonly used in the production of chang’aa. The illicit brew was destroyed at the site.
He warned individuals involved in the production and sale of illicit brews that they would be arrested and taken to court.
Gachago confirmed that no suspect was arrested during the Jirime operation because those believed to be operating the brewing site had left before officers arrived.
