Kisumu,June 2026 -Security agencies in Kisumu on Wednesday destroyed illicit goods worth nearly Sh100 million, warning that the crackdown on counterfeit products will go hand in hand with an intensified campaign against criminal gangs blamed for insecurity in the lakeside city.
Speaking during the destruction exercise at the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Kisumu County Commissioner Mohamed Ramadhani Mwabudzo said the operation targeted counterfeit and illegally manufactured alcohol, cigarettes, ethanol, cannabis and bottled water confiscated over the past year across the Western and Rift regions.
Mwabudzo said the government would sustain joint operations involving security agencies, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, the Kenya Bureau of Standards and other regulators to rid the market of illicit products that endanger lives and undermine legitimate businesses.
“We will not relent in ensuring that all counterfeit and illicit products are removed from the market because they pose a serious danger to public health and deny genuine manufacturers a fair opportunity to do business,” said Mwabudzo.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious products to the relevant authorities, saying public cooperation was critical in dismantling illegal manufacturing and distribution networks
On the issue of security, Mwabudzo declared a renewed offensive against criminal gangs, saying police had already arraigned eight suspected gang members from Kisumu East while pursuing others believed to have fled.
“We will ensure there is no insecurity in Kisumu. Those engaging in goonism and robbery should look for alternative livelihoods because we will deal with them one by one, and nobody is above the law,” he said.
He appealed to residents to volunteer information on criminal activities, assuring witnesses of protection and confidentiality to strengthen prosecutions against offenders.
KRA’s Western Region representative Nancy Jemutai said the destruction exercise formed part of a nationwide operation simultaneously conducted in Kisumu, Nairobi and Voi.
She estimated the value of the destroyed goods at almost KSh100 million, comprising illicit alcohol, cigarettes and counterfeit bottled water, adding that many of the products were either smuggled into the country or manufactured locally by unlicensed producers.
She further added that intelligence from the public had played a significant role in intercepting the illegal products and pledged that enforcement efforts would continue.
The multi-agency exercise brought together KRA, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, police and other enforcement agencies, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to protecting consumers, supporting legitimate businesses and curbing crime linked to illicit trade.
