More than 10,000 litres of illicit methanol alcohol was on Thursday destroyed in Athi River by security agents from the region.
Police raided RAVOG Manufacturers Company located at Mombasa Road Industrial go downs at around 7pm, seized and destroyed the consignment with the assistance from Mavoko fire brigade.
The Athi River Senior Assistant County Commissioner, Phylip Lemalasia, who addressed the press at the scene said the operation that was coordinated by special crimes prevention unit from Nairobi area. This follows a list earlier produced by KEBS on illicit liquor and producers who have been suspended pending inspection and testing by Inter‐ Government Agencies Team.
"This is a continuous crackdown on illicit brewers and brands listed on the document which had been released earlier by KEBS," said Lemalasia.
Lemalasia said the destroyed products which included 51 drums of 200 litres of methanol which was still undergoing production into spirits and 385 cartons of a quarter litres bottle of Mawingu brand alcohol are among those listed in the Kenya Bureau of Standards list of banned products.
He said it is serious for such companies to continue producing more illicit liquor which had been burnt by the government instead of abiding by the law.
"It beats logic for brewing companies to continue producing brands which have been burnt by the government instead of simply abiding by the law, we will not allow them to trade in this sub county," said Lemalasia.
Lemalasia said the team had inspected the same company last week but did not find any product only to net the huge consignment a week later.
He said the 10,000 litres of methanol poured became a river flowing into drainage systems to River Athi, a condition that prompted them to seek services of fire engine to prevent the alcohol being used by residents living in slums along drainage systems to which it was flowing.
The commissioner said the Fire Brigade broke bottles in which the ready for sale alcohol was packed and poured form from the fire engine to dilute and neutralize the flowing river of alcohol to reduce chances of causing harm to the residents.
Lemalasia called on members of the public to give information to security agents on where any of illicit products from the company or other could be hidden claiming that some producers had kept such consignments in go downs and their homes.
The officers were accompanied by Athi River Police boss, Kizito Mutoro.