Security forces in Taita Taveta County have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against illicit alcohol by intercepting a truck carrying over 30,000 liters of ethanol, worth around Sh 250 million.
County Commissioner Josephine Onunga commended the security team for the successful operation, highlighting its importance in combating the spread of illegal alcohol.
“This seizure is a major breakthrough for our team. The 130 containers here can produce vast amounts of illicit alcohol, which can devastate many lives,” she said.
The operation exposed Taita Taveta as a key smuggling route for ethanol from Tanzania, where the substance is legal. Onunga explained that criminal networks exploit border security gaps to bring ethanol into Kenya, often using fake number plates to evade detection.
The County DCI boss, Joseph Kirui, revealed that the operation was based on intelligence received three days prior, allowing them to successfully intercept one of the targeted trucks. He added that authorities are pursuing leads to apprehend more suspects involved in the network.
The success of this operation is credited to enhanced multi-agency coordination at the Taveta border, involving both Kenyan and Tanzanian security forces. Onunga also praised local boda boda operators and small traders for their critical role in providing intelligence.
Surveillance has been intensified along known smuggling routes, with authorities working closely with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Government Chemist to verify the seized ethanol and proceed with legal action against those involved.
The crackdown is part of a broader government initiative, supported by President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, to eliminate illicit brews and contraband from the market. Commissioner Onunga emphasized the severe impact of these illegal substances on society, particularly in exacerbating poverty and health issues.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities confident that more arrests and further dismantling of the smuggling cartel are imminent.
