Deputy President Kindiki Announces Intelligence-Led Crackdown on Illicit Alcohol and Drugs

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced on Wednesday that the Kenyan government will replace conventional enforcement with covert, intelligence-led operations to combat illicit alcohol and drug networks.

He said previous campaigns were undermined by politicisation and competing commercial interests and asserted that the new approach will operate outside the political arena, stating, "The fight against illicit alcohol and drugs will be intelligence-led, covert, and free from political interference."

Kindiki said the crackdown will focus on ethanol importation and diversion, with tighter legislation and controls to be recommended within a month and harsher penalties for adulterating alcohol or diverting industrial ethanol.

He noted that 36 manufacturers had licences suspended in 2024 for non-compliance; eight licences have been cancelled and the remaining 26 compliant firms will undergo fresh inspections with immediate effect.

A Multi-Sectoral High-Level Team chaired by the deputy president will meet every two weeks, bringing together security and regulatory agencies, industry representatives and local communities to monitor enforcement and support rehabilitation of victims.

Describing illicit alcohol and drug abuse as a national security, public health and economic threat, Kindiki declared a zero-tolerance stance and insisted that the war is not political.