The government plans to seize the assets of illicit alcohol and drug cartels and to formally license traditional brews that meet national quality standards, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said.

Kindiki spoke on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, after a meeting at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi. The meeting included the Inspector General of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, representatives of the Council of Governors, Principal Secretaries and heads of relevant agencies.

Licensing traditional brews

"Traditional brews that meet the Kenya Bureau of Standards requirements will be formalised and licensed," Kindiki said, according to Kenyans.co.ke.

Producers will have to meet a set of safety and quality standards before they qualify. The move would give legal room to brewers of traditional drinks such as busaa, which have often been lumped together with dangerous illicit spirits.

Following the money

Kindiki said the law on forfeiture, asset seizure and confiscation of funds is being finalised, Citizen Digital reported. It would let authorities seize property belonging to people who produce, distribute or sell harmful drinks. The proceeds would fund rehabilitation of people addicted to alcohol and drugs.

He said the legislative proposals are meant to "tighten the noose on manufacturers, distributors and enablers of ethanol and drug cartels".

"We are not fighting against businesses or the industry but just protecting the nation against collapse," he said. He described illicit alcohol as one of "the top three threats to Kenya's future".

Raids and a permanent secretariat

In the past ten days, a multi-agency team carried out nine raids on illegal ethanol premises and 116 operations against illicit brew sellers across the country.

A permanent secretariat at Harambee House Annex will coordinate the work of NACADA, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, KEBS and the police Anti-Narcotics Unit. Kindiki said a framework for involving local communities will be released next week.

The announcement came a day after NACADA destroyed more than 29,000 litres of kangara in a raid in Kahawa West, Kiambu County.

Photos: Citizen Digital; Kenyans.co.ke