Sleuths from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have confiscated illicit liquor which was estimated to be worth Ksh. 3.25 million at Kimama Market in Kajiado County.

Issuing a statement on Wednesday, the Authority said the alcoholic drinks were intercepted by officers in the morning hours while being transported on a truck towards Loitoktok. After further research, the detectives found that the truck was ferrying 650 cartons of alcoholic drinks labeled Everest Vodka.

“At around 6.00 am today, KRA officers while on patrol got informed that there was a truck moving from Kimana town towards Loitoktok and was suspected to be transporting illicit liquor. KRA officers laid an ambush and intercepted the truck at Kimana Market. The truck was found to be carrying alcoholic drinks marked Everest Vodka… The truck was later driven to customs Loitoktok Office for further verification and 650 cartons of the Everest vodka were found. Each carton was carrying 20 bottles of 250 ml.” the KRA stated.

Detectives have said that the truck has been held as they continue to look for forensic evidence.

It has also been noted that this has shortly occurred after the Authority raising concerns over rising cases of illicit brew business in the region where three trucks were intercepted by KRA seizing more than 100,000 Liters of ethanol in the area.

“Between the periods from July to December, KRA has intercepted 34 drums each carrying 250ltrs of ethanol (8500Ltrs) valued at Ksh. 2,380,000… on December 24, 2022, KRA intercepted a truck carrying 119 drums of Ethanol each 250ltrs (29,750ltrs), and later intercepted two trucks carrying 288 drums of ethanol each 250ltrs (72,000Ltrs) on January 5, 2023, in the same area,” KRA stated.

Illegal ethanol smuggled in Kenya has been blamed for fueling the rise in illicit brew production in the country where ethanol, the key raw material for production of cheap and dangerous liquor such as Chang ’aa has claimed the lives of many.