Security agencies in Igembe North Sub-county, Meru County, have intensified the fight against illicit alcohol, seizing more than 1,000 litres of illegal brew in a coordinated multi-agency operation that led to the destruction of major brewing dens in Ntunene and Antuambui wards.
The operation, carried out on Wednesday, was spearheaded by Igembe North Deputy County Commissioner Martin Muhia in collaboration with the area OCPD Gerald Marando. It forms part of heightened enforcement measures aimed at curbing the production and sale of illicit brews, particularly during the ongoing festive season.
One of the key raids was conducted at Kieni Kia Baimula village, on the outskirts of Laare Market, where officers uncovered several underground pits at a homestead belonging to a suspect identified as Robert Mugambi. The pits were reportedly used to conceal jerricans filled with muna, a by-product commonly used in the brewing of chang’aa. Police said the discovery was made following actionable intelligence provided by members of the public.
At the same location, security officers found cooking cans placed on jikos, with the brew at advanced stages of preparation. A total of 62 jerricans of muna, 20 litres of ready chang’aa and assorted brewing equipment were recovered. Some of the items were preserved as exhibits for court proceedings, while the rest were destroyed on site in the presence of residents and members of the media.
In a related operation conducted a day earlier at Kirindara village in Ntunene Ward, security teams confiscated 1,035 litres of illicit brew from the home of another suspect, identified as Ben Theuri. Authorities said the haul included 320 litres of muna, highlighting the scale and sophistication of the illegal brewing trade in the area.
Police described Mugambi as one of the most notorious chang’aa producers in the sub-county, adding that a manhunt has been launched to arrest suspects who managed to escape during the raids.
Speaking after the operation, OCPD Gerald Marando said the crackdown was part of a sustained security strategy.
“This is an operation order that is ongoing, especially during the festive season, and it will continue even beyond the holidays until illicit brews are completely eliminated,” he said.
Marando further warned youths who reportedly gather at Kieni Kia Baimula field, the proposed Laare Stadium, to engage in drug abuse, noting that security agencies would soon move in to address narcotics and related criminal activities in the area.
Residents have welcomed the intensified operations, calling on members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by sharing information. Community leaders also urged residents, especially the youth, to embrace legal and productive economic activities to avoid arrests, loss of livelihoods and deaths associated with the consumption of illicit alcohol.
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