Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a stern warning to dealers in illicit and harmful alcoholic drinks, saying the government will pursue them and ensure they face the law.
Prof Kindiki announced that the crackdown on poisonous alcoholic drinks had been intensified, warning manufacturers and sellers against putting the lives of Kenyans at risk.
“I am warning those selling harmful drinks that their days are numbered. We will come for you. I assure you that we will not allow anyone to sell poisonous drinks in the name of alcohol to our people,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President spoke on Friday 2 October 2026 at the Limuru Milk Processing Plant grounds in Kiambu County, where he flagged off milk coolers destined for various dairy cooperative societies.
He said the government would not allow unscrupulous traders to exploit Kenyans by manufacturing alcoholic drinks using dangerous substances.
Prof Kindiki, who previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, said the government had dealt with terrorists and bandits and would similarly confront those involved in the manufacture and sale of illicit alcohol.
“Some do not even have premises. They just mix chemicals and sell to Kenyans. We are coming for you. We have fought Al-Shabaab and bandits, we cannot be defeated by illicit alcohol traders,” he added.
He said orders had already been issued for the inspection of alcoholic beverage manufacturing premises to establish whether they comply with quality and public health standards.
“We are going to inspect all the alcoholic manufacturers’ premises to ensure that they are in compliance with quality and public health standards before they take their products to the market,” Prof Kindiki said.
The Deputy President said the crackdown would be sustained in Kiambu and other parts of the country, noting that the government could not stand by as Kenyans lose their lives or suffer health complications from harmful drinks.
He said recent deaths linked to illicit alcohol in Kiambu and earlier incidents in Kirinyaga had heightened the need for stronger action against manufacturers and distributors of dangerous alcoholic products.
“We lost our people recently here in Kiambu and previously in Kirinyaga. We will not allow anyone to threaten the lives of Kenyans through sale of harmful drinks,” he said.
Prof Kindiki also urged residents of the Mt Kenya region to reject attempts to incite them against one another because of political differences.
He said political competition should not be allowed to fuel violence, hatred or divisions among communities.
“We must be united. Incitement and violence is not politics. It is criminal and unacceptable. We should not accept to fight each other because of politics,” he said.
The Deputy President said he would continue focusing on his government duties and serving Kenyans, while respecting advice from elders in the region to avoid insults and incitement.
At the event, Prof Kindiki also highlighted government efforts to boost the dairy sector through investment in milk cooling, processing and value addition.
He said 227 milk coolers had so far been distributed to farmers across the country to reduce post-production losses and increase farmers’ earnings.
Kiambu has received 13 of the coolers at a cost of Sh98.14 million. The equipment is expected to benefit more than 21,500 dairy farmers and save an estimated 15.7 million litres of milk from wastage every year.
The savings are expected to translate into about Sh769 million in additional earnings for farmers.
“The best way to increase earnings for milk farmers is to ensure there are no losses from waste. This was among our commitments to milk farmers during our campaigns before the last elections,” Prof Kindiki said.
He said Government interventions in the dairy sector had contributed to increased milk production, adding that Kenya had become a leading producer of processed milk in Africa.
“We are committed to meeting our bargain with the milk farmers. That is why milk production has gone up significantly. Today, Kenya is the largest producer of processed milk in Africa,” he said.
Prof Kindiki also said development projects worth Sh52 billion were ongoing in Kiambu County.
They include 29 modern markets, housing projects and hostels, as well as road construction and rehabilitation programmes.
The second in command further noted that is the planned expansion of the Muthaiga Roundabout-Kiambu Town road was also being finalised.
The Deputy President was accompanied by Limuru MP Chege Kiragu, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Lari MP Mburu Kahangara, Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku, MCAs and Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke.
