Two arrested in Meru for brewing and supplying illicit alcohol

Two suspects have been arrested in Meru County for brewing and supplying illegal alcohol.  

The arrests occurred during a joint operation by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the National Police Service (NPS). 

One suspect was apprehended in Mbeu Village, Tigania West Sub-County, while the other was arrested in Majengo estate, Meru town.  

In Mbeu, officers seized 200 liters of suspected illicit brew, locally known as mugaca, along with ingredients believed to be used in its production. 

In Majengo, they uncovered an industrial-scale brewery equipped with sophisticated distilling apparatus, which officers said was being used for large-scale production of chang’aa.  

Both suspects are being held at Meru Police Station as investigations continue.  

Speaking after the arrest, NACADA’s Head of Enforcement, Superintendent of Police Nicholas Kosgey, urged communities to support efforts to combat illicit alcohol. 

"We encourage the public to provide information to help identify and dismantle these operations. Together, we can protect our communities from the dangers of illicit brews," he said.  

Kosgey emphasised that these operations are part of NACADA’s ongoing mission to reduce the availability and consumption of harmful, unregulated alcohol.