Residents of Mwea have raised serious concerns over the ongoing production and distribution of counterfeit liquor in the region, a trade that continues to thrive unchecked despite numerous warnings.
This illicit industry, which has long been operating under the radar, threatens both public health and safety, with locals now pushing for greater attention from the authorities.
While some have chosen to remain silent due to fear, others have bravely spoken out, shedding light on how counterfeit alcohol is being manufactured, distributed, and sold across the region.
For several months, local residents have been raising alarms about the rise of counterfeit liquor in the region.
These counterfeit products are being sold in multiple entertainment spots across Mwea, with some of the area’s most popular clubs acting as key distribution points.
Despite repeated complaints, authorities have yet to take effective action to address the matter, and residents are left with little recourse but to voice their frustrations.
A name that has been repeatedly mentioned by local residents in relation to the ongoing counterfeit liquor trade is “Kinyua Nyangati”, who is believed by many to be playing a central role in an extensive operation said to involve the manufacture and distribution of fake alcohol.
According to multiple residents, Kinyua is allegedly connected to a network that has been producing counterfeit liquor in bulk, although no formal charges have been brought against him to date.
Initially, it is said that he may have been operating from behind a local stadium, before reportedly relocating the production base to a more discreet site on his farm in Murang’a, possibly in an attempt to avoid detection.
From this new location, he is thought to be overseeing the production of counterfeit versions of popular local brands, although these claims remain unverified by authorities.
“People here have talked about Kinyua for months. Everyone knows his bottles don’t come from the actual companies. He moved things when people started asking too many questions,” one resident, who requested anonymity, remarked.
“We see the trucks leaving that farm late in the night. Nobody wants to say much because the man has connections, but we all know where it’s coming from,” another local told us:
The Counterfeit Liquor Operation
The counterfeit liquor produced by the network includes several popular brands, such as Jambo, Taifa, Diamond, and Banana.
These fake products are manufactured in large quantities and packaged in recycled bottles, often sourced from reputable companies like East African Breweries Limited (EABL).
This method of recycling bottles, which are refilled with counterfeit alcohol, enables Kinyua’s operation to create products that resemble legitimate ones, deceiving consumers into purchasing fake and potentially harmful liquor.
The counterfeit liquor is then distributed through a network of associates, who are responsible for getting the products into the hands of local consumers across Mwea.
This operation has led to widespread distribution, with counterfeit liquor reaching various villages and towns in the region.
Several local nightclubs are believed to be central to the spread of counterfeit liquor throughout Mwea.
These clubs not only serve as entertainment venues but are also suspected of acting as fronts for the illicit distribution of fake alcohol.
The following establishments are among those said to be heavily involved in this trade:
- Magnet – situated opposite Merica
- Canopy and 1708 – located next to each other near Nice
- Edge – based in Magomano
- Nyangati – located at Soko Mjinga
- A club in Thiba – near Rukunyi
These clubs have become notorious in the region for their involvement in the distribution of counterfeit liquor, serving a steady stream of customers who are unknowingly consuming harmful products.
The widespread presence of these counterfeit goods in the region’s nightlife scene has left many residents worried about the safety of what they are drinking.
Despite the growing awareness of the issue, the situation is complicated by an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Locals who have attempted to expose the counterfeit liquor trade have reportedly faced threats and harassment.
Sources familiar with the operations have stated that those behind the counterfeit trade, including Kinyua and his associates, are well-financed and possess significant influence, making it difficult for residents to speak out without facing retaliation.
“It’s not that people don’t know what’s happening, it’s just that they are afraid to speak up. Kinyua and his associates have a lot of money and power, and those who try to expose them have been threatened or silenced,” one source, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, explained the challenges of addressing the issue.
Despite the widespread knowledge of the counterfeit trade, local authorities have been slow to act.
Residents have expressed frustration that, while the problem is in the public domain, no meaningful steps have been taken to shut down the operation or protect the public from the dangers of consuming counterfeit alcohol.
Recycling Bottles and Fake KEBS Codes
One of the most alarming aspects of the counterfeit liquor operation is the use of recycled bottles from legitimate companies like EABL.
These bottles are refilled with counterfeit liquor and sold to unsuspecting consumers, often under the guise of well-known brands.
This practice not only undermines the integrity of reputable companies but also exposes consumers to serious health risks.
Local residents have voiced their dissatisfaction with the lack of action from local police, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) as well as the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to intervene and hold those behind the operation accountable.
Many are now demanding immediate action from law enforcement, with hopes that police forces will finally confront the powerful networks responsible for endangering their health and safety.
