The crackdown on illicit liquor and psychotropic substances that was intensified in February and led by National Government Administrative Officers has spilled more than 1.7 million liters of unregulated brews and netted hard drugs worth millions of shillings.
Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo said the operation will be intensified after early encouraging signs of success as the government seeks to boost public health and upend the social and security challenges posed by this trade.
He said the multi-agency team on the ground is under strict instructions to go hard on those involved in this trade, particularly the producers, distributors, and sellers.
“We must disrupt the trade to stand any chance of breaking the chain of harm that is flowing from the production to the consumption of these deadly drinks,” the PS said after reviewing the latest report on the progress of the mission.
According to the report, Kangara tops the list of the informal brews netted since January with over 1.6 million liters tipped so far.
Chang’aa and Busaa, whose figures in the ongoing operation stand at 330,824 liters and 112,915 liters respectively, are also popular bootleg liquors among brewers and consumers.
Omollo also singled out the widespread abuse of cannabis as a major cause for concern, with a total of 347,944 rolls, stones, and stems of the drug seized so far, majorly from the Central, Eastern, and Rift Valley regions.
Officers have also netted over four tonnes of the drug in bulk form in what turns out to be confirmation of the government’s worst fears the war against narcotics.
“These figures speak volumes about what we’re dealing with as a country,” the PS said.
He added that the government will fight the trade from its source while deploying other strategic interventions to suppress substance abuse and support addicts in their journey to recovery and quitting.
“We are now prioritizing evidence-based approaches in our interventions and need to work together in harm reduction strategies, that include investing in education, healthcare, job creation, and social programs to help our people make wiser choices.”
