WEST POKOT – Security and multi-agency administrators in West Pokot have launched an intensive 100-day war on illicit brews, counterfeit alcohol, and narcotics, publicly destroying 1,800 litres of chang’aa and 500 rolls of bhang seized during recent swoops.
The exercise, launched by West Pokot Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Kiarie during a public baraza at Kishaunet Centre in Kapenguria, forms part of a nationwide 100-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) ordered by President William Ruto. Kiarie emphasized that the public destruction of the contraband was deliberate to guarantee transparency and assure residents that confiscated items would not leak back into the community.
The multi-agency drive brings together the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), National Police Service (NPS), National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), alongside county enforcement and public health officials.
Kiarie outlined a phased approach to the operation, beginning with local illegal distillers before moving on to commercial outlets selling unauthorized second-generation alcohol, operating outside permitted hours, or violating regulatory standards. Field administrators including chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders have been instructed to maintain constant operations in their areas.
To address wider regional challenges, security agencies are increasing surveillance on smuggling networks, particularly motorbikes bringing illicit products across borders from neighboring counties and Uganda. Kiarie assured the public that all intelligence shared by residents regarding manufacturers, transporters, and sellers would remain strictly confidential.
Addressing local concerns regarding integrity, the administrator issued a strong warning against corruption, stating that any enforcement officer caught accepting bribes or compromising the operation would face immediate administrative action.
Local residents and community leaders have strongly backed the crackdown, citing the devastating impact of substance abuse on families and rising crime rates among youth. Daniel Rotich, a resident of Kachepkai Village in Mnagei Ward, noted that many young people turn to crime to fund their addiction and pledged local support through community policing.
NACADA West Pokot County Coordinator Scola Komen reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to pairing enforcement with public education programs, encouraging citizens to report illegal drug and alcohol trade anonymously using the toll-free helpline 1192. Authorities maintain that lasting success will depend on sustained enforcement, officer accountability, cross-border coordination, and active community participation throughout the 100-day campaign.
