A major crackdown on illicit alcohol trade unfolded in Murang’a County on Monday night as the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), in collaboration with the Murang’a County Police Command, seized counterfeit alcoholic products valued at Sh1.4 million at Kahuho Market.
The high-stakes operation, conducted around 8:00 p.m., came just hours before the Jukwaa la Usalama Murang’a County edition and was part of a wider 100-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) targeting illegal alcohol.
The directive had been issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen as part of the government’s intensified war against harmful and unregulated liquor.
Acting on intelligence reports, NACADA enforcement officers recovered 290 crates of assorted alcoholic drinks including popular brands like Smart Ice, Taifa Ice, Diamond Ice, and Apple Ice all bearing counterfeit Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excise stamps. Several cartons of Dallas Gin spirits were also confiscated.
The illegal consignment was traced to a store linked to Peter Nduati, popularly known as “Mike Power,” a notorious figure in the region’s illicit alcohol trade. NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa described the suspect as a long-time player in the illegal alcohol business with a vast network of 59 alcohol dispensing outlets across Murang’a County.
“This is not a small-time operator. He is a known individual whose operations have undermined public health and safety while costing the country millions in lost revenue.
His evasion of the law over the years has made enforcement efforts even more complex,” Dr. Omerikwa said.
Although Nduati was not present at the time of the raid, a woman believed to be the store manager was arrested and is being held at Kahuho Police Station.
A manhunt for the main suspect is currently underway.
The Kenya Revenue Authority has since taken over the investigation, and Nduati is expected to face charges related to tax evasion and violations of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act (2010).
The seized alcohol has been handed over to the KRA Investigations Team, while samples will undergo safety analysis at the Government Chemist and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
NACADA has reaffirmed its commitment to a coordinated, multi-agency crackdown on rogue alcohol traders, warning that counterfeit alcohol continues to pose severe health risks and deprive the government of critical tax revenue.
Authorities have vowed to bring “Mike Power” to justice, stating that his history of evading arrest and operating illegal alcohol outlets across the county will not go unpunished this time.
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