Detectives drawn from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have confiscated illicit liquor estimated to be worth Ksh. 3.25 million at Kimana Market in Kajiado County.

KRA, in a statement on Wednesday, said the alcoholic drinks were intercepted by officers in the morning hours while being transported on a truck towards Loitoktok.

According to the Authority, a later search conducted at Loitoktok Customs Office found the truck was ferrying 650 cartons of alcoholic drinks labelled Everest Vodka.

“At around 6:00 am today, KRA officers while on patrol got information that there was a truck moving from Kimana town towards Loitoktok and was suspected to be transporting illicit liquor. KRA officers laid an ambush and intercepted the truck at Kimama Market. The truck was found to be carrying alcoholic drinks marked Everest Vodka,” KRA stated.

“The truck was later driven to Customs Loitoktok Office for further verification and 650 cartons of the Everest vodka were found. Each carton was carrying 20 bottles of 250ml.”

KRA says the truck has since been held as investigations continue to authenticate the excise stamps which are suspected to be fake.

The incident comes even as the Authority has raised concerns over rising cases of illicit brew business in the region.

Last year, KRA says it intercepted three trucks and seized more than 100,000 litres of ethanol in the area.

The authority has hence reassured the public of heightened surveillance against illicit alcohol noting that from July this year, it has intercepted 34 drums of ethanol valued at Ksh.2,38 million.

“Between the periods from July to December, KRA has intercepted 34 drums each carrying 250ltrs of ethanol (8500 Ltrs) valued at Kshs 2,380,000,” KRA stated.

“On December 24, 2022, KRA intercepted a truck carrying 119 drums of Ethanol each 250Ltrs ( 29, 750 Ltrs), and later intercepted two trucks carrying 288 drums of ethanol each 250ltrs ( 72,000 Ltrs)on January 5 2023 in the same area.”