Police Storm Kibra, Arrest Two as 220 Litres of Illegal Chang’aa Seized in Major Crackdown
Police have arrested two suspects and seized 220 litres of illicit chang’aa during a targeted security operation in Kibra, Nairobi County, as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on the manufacture and distribution of illegal alcoholic drinks.
The operation, conducted in the Kianda 42 area of Kibra within Kilimani Sub-County, forms part of an ongoing campaign by security agencies to dismantle criminal networks involved in the illicit alcohol trade—a business that has repeatedly been linked to deaths, blindness and other serious health complications across Kenya.
In a statement shared on X on Monday, July 20, 2026, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that officers acting on intelligence descended on the area and recovered hundreds of litres of the illegal brew before arresting two male suspects believed to be connected to the operation.
“The officers conducted a targeted raid within the Kianda 42 area of Kibra, arresting two male suspects and confiscating 220 litres of Chang’aa,” the NPS said.
Police said the seized alcohol has been secured as evidence while the two suspects remain in custody pending processing before they are formally arraigned in court.
Nationwide war on illicit brews
The latest raid comes as security agencies continue to scale up intelligence-led operations targeting manufacturers, distributors and sellers of illegal alcoholic beverages across the country.
Authorities say the crackdown is intended to dismantle criminal supply chains responsible for producing and circulating unlicensed alcohol, which has remained a major public safety concern despite repeated enforcement operations.
The government has in recent years stepped up surveillance and raids following several incidents in which consumers suffered fatal poisoning or permanent health complications after consuming contaminated alcohol.
According to the National Police Service, the sustained operations are aimed at protecting communities from the dangers posed by illicit brews while ensuring those responsible face the full force of the law.
Police appeal for public support
The National Police Service has also urged Kenyans to work closely with law enforcement officers by reporting suspected illegal brewing dens and individuals involved in the illicit alcohol business.
Police said community cooperation remains one of the most effective tools in identifying hidden brewing sites and disrupting criminal networks that continue to profit from the illegal trade.
The service reiterated its commitment to maintaining pressure on those involved in the manufacture, transportation and sale of unlicensed alcoholic drinks, warning that similar operations will continue across the country.
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