Workers Run Away As DCI Raids Illegal Alcohol Distillery [PHOTOS]

Workers at Bongo Enterprises Limited, an illegal alcohol manufacturing plant in Njiru, Nairobi County, fled on Monday, November 28 before detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) raided the premises alongside a multi-agency team.

The DCI noted that the plant was shut down after the detectives, alongside officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), had stormed the plant and seized hundreds of counterfeited KRA stamps.

The team also seized 5,000 stickers belonging to a vodka alcoholic drink in its quest to get rid of counterfeit goods from the Kenyan market.

Inside an illegal alcohol plant in Njiru, Nairobi County. /TWITTER.DCI

"During the early morning raid led by sleuths from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit, over 5,000 stickers of an alcoholic drink identified as Bongo Vodka were also seized, as detectives intensify a crackdown on counterfeit and illegal products that are finding their way to shelves in the local market.

"Workers at the plant who seemed to have gotten wind of the detectives’ impending arrival fled the premises hurriedly, leaving the machines used in the manufacture of the highly potent liquor roaring with vigour," stated the DCI in part.

The raid follows a recent directive by President William Ruto to the police, to conduct intelligence-led operations targeting counterfeit goods, after it was discovered that crooked businessmen had devised ways of evading taxation.

Meanwhile, detectives are on the trail of the owners of the plant located along the Njiru - Mwiki road, who once arrested will be made to answer for their actions in strict conformity to the law.

Following the directive, the National Police Service (NPS) on Monday, November 7 ordered a countrywide crackdown on illegal business entities.

“This follows the detection of numerous tax evasion schemes around the country which deny the government due revenue to fund public services. The crackdown is to commence with immediate effect under the coordination of respective commanders at all levels,” then acting Inspector General, Noor Gabow directed. 

President Ruto had recently given KRA a target of collecting Ksh4 trillion in tax to finance the Kenya Kwanza government operations.