Security officers net illegal liquor in Katulani

Security officers in Katulani sub county in Kitui county have nabbed 741 cartons of suspected counterfeit spirits and vodka liquor, at Wikililye area. 

A security officer in Katulani sub county in Kitui County loading suspected massive counterfeit alcoholic products they nabbed at a homestead in Wikililye market.MWINGI TIMES/Mwingi Times Correspondents

Confirming the incident, Katulani sub county Deputy County Commissioner Shufaa Omar Mwijuma, said they were tipped by a resident of Wikililye market yesterday that there was a consignment of counterfeit liquor that was being stocked in homesteads within Wikililye market. 

With the help of the police officers from Katulani police station and Wikililye police post, the officer stormed the house and found those cartons each containing 20 bottles of liquor where the capacity for each bottle is 250ml. 

Upon the recovery of the suspected illegal alcohol products, Kitui County Police Commander Ms Leah Kithei sent her officers accompanied by KRA officers from Embu regional headquarters to take the consignment to Embu, where further tests will be carried out. 

In the meantime, Shufaa has warned Katulani liquor business people over selling counterfeit liquor, saying her officers will be carrying out unexpected searches in shop and other premises suspected to be hide outs of the illegal alcohol products. 

The recovery of the suspected illegal alcoholic products happens in wake of recent directives by President William Ruto to security agents to crack down illicit brews across the country. 

The president directed provincial administration and other security agents to intensify war on the illicit brews, counterfeit stamps and uncertified products that are harmful to citizens. 

The president in a move to cushion Kenyans from the effects brought about by the illicit brew and products not certified by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) noted that those taking part in such unscrupulous businesses will be dealt with.

Dr Ruto said that illegal alcohol sale denies KRA revenue since the sellers don’t pay taxes. 

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT