Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced the establishment of a permanent government secretariat to coordinate the fight against illicit alcohol and harmful drugs, signalling a sustained crackdown on the manufacture, distribution and sale of illegal substances.
Kindiki said the secretariat, which will operate from his office, would bring together security agencies and regulatory bodies to strengthen coordination, intelligence gathering and enforcement against those involved in the illegal trade.
He spoke on Wednesday October 21,2026, during a follow-up review meeting at his Karen residence, where he assessed the progress of the ongoing campaign against illicit and harmful alcohol.
The Deputy President described illicit alcohol and drugs as among the three greatest threats to Kenya’s future, saying the government would maintain pressure on those involved in the trade.
According to him the secretariat will bring together the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), National Intelligence Service (NIS), National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority.
The multi-agency arrangement is intended to improve information sharing, streamline operations and ensure that enforcement agencies work towards a common objective.
The second in command said the government had classified the manufacture, distribution and sale of illicit alcohol as organised crime, placing the activities alongside other serious security threats, including terrorism and banditry.
He said the government would review the legal and regulatory framework governing alcohol and drugs to introduce tougher penalties for those involved in the illegal supply chain.
The proposed review is expected to target those who manufacture, transport, distribute and sell illicit products, as well as other actors found to be facilitating the trade.
Kindiki said the government wanted to ensure that those involved in the business faced serious consequences, warning that enforcement efforts would not be relaxed.
The crackdown is part of wider efforts to address the social and security challenges associated with illicit alcohol and drug abuse, particularly the risks posed to young people and communities.
The Deputy President said the campaign would be intelligence-led and apolitical, with security agencies expected to conduct coordinated raids, arrests and prosecutions without political interference.
He called on the agencies involved to improve their performance and deliver better results, stressing the need for accountability in the implementation of the government’s strategy.
He noted the permanent secretariat is expected to provide a central coordination point for the agencies, helping to address operational gaps and strengthen the response to emerging threats linked to illicit alcohol and drugs.
Kindiki also urged religious leaders, community representatives, business owners, politicians, professionals and scholars to support the campaign.
He said the fight could not be left to security agencies alone, calling for a collective response from all sectors of society.
The DP appeal comes as the government seeks to strengthen enforcement against illegal alcohol and harmful substances, which have raised concerns over public health, family welfare and community safety.
He maintained that the campaign would continue, with the government seeking stronger coordination among enforcement agencies and a more effective legal framework to deal with offenders.
Kindiki said the multi-agency team must demonstrate improved results as the government steps up efforts to curb the manufacture, distribution and sale of illicit alcohol and drugs.
