Major Crackdown in Runda as NACADA Seizes Sh4.1M Worth of Ethanol

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illicit alcohol, seizing ethanol worth an estimated Sh4.1 million during a targeted operation in the upmarket Runda area of Nairobi.

In the early morning raid, enforcement officers intercepted a suspected illegal supply chain involving large quantities of ethanol believed to have been destined for the production of unregulated alcoholic drinks. The operation forms part of a broader campaign aimed at dismantling networks involved in the distribution of harmful and unlicensed alcohol products.

According to officials, the seized consignment is suspected to have been diverted from legitimate industrial use and repackaged for illegal brewing activities, a growing concern in parts of the country where unregulated alcohol continues to pose a serious public health risk.

NACADA officers, working alongside security agencies, said the crackdown was based on intelligence-led surveillance that has been tracking the movement of illicit alcohol ingredients within Nairobi and its environs.

Authorities noted that the operation is part of sustained efforts to curb the spread of counterfeit and substandard alcoholic beverages, which have been linked to numerous health complications and deaths in recent years.

NACADA has warned individuals and businesses involved in the illegal alcohol trade that enforcement actions will continue to intensify, regardless of location or social status. Officials emphasized that even high-end residential areas are not immune to inspection and prosecution.

The authority also urged the public to report suspicious activities linked to illicit alcohol production, noting that community cooperation remains critical in the fight against drug and substance abuse.

Investigations into the seized ethanol consignment are ongoing, with authorities expected to identify and apprehend those behind the supply network in the coming days