Over 1,000 Cartons of Fake Alcohol Seized in Kiamaiko

Kenyan authorities have dismantled a major counterfeit alcohol network in Nairobi, seizing over 1,000 cartons of illicit beverages worth Ksh 2.5 million. 

The operation, led by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), resulted in the arrest of two suspects involved in the distribution of fake alcohol. The raid took place in Kiamaiko, where investigators uncovered a secret warehouse in a deteriorating six-storey building. 

The facility was used to store and distribute counterfeit alcohol, which was being supplied to Nairobi, surrounding counties, and other regions. The ACA described the operation as a significant threat to public safety, with counterfeit alcohol set to enter the market just before the festive season.

Authorities identified key signs of counterfeiting in the seized products, including fake labels and the absence of required safety markings. Such products pose serious health risks, including poisoning, blindness, and long-term organ damage. 

Counterfeit alcohol has become a growing concern in Kenya, with a 2023 survey revealing that one in three Kenyans has unknowingly purchased fake alcohol. The counterfeit trade costs the country approximately Ksh 100 billion annually, affecting both public health and legitimate businesses.

The suspects arrested in Kiamaiko are expected to face charges under the Anti-Counterfeit Act, 2008. This latest raid follows a series of recent enforcement actions, including the discovery of an illegal distillery in Ruiru earlier this year.