Residents of Witeithie Estate in Juja Sub-County, have raised alarm over the proliferation of illegal liquor dens accused of selling dangerous second-generation alcohol and drugs, including to school-going children.
The residents claim the unlicensed outlets have mushroomed across the area in recent months, exposing young people to harmful substances while contributing to a growing public health and security crisis.
According to locals, secondary school and university students have become prime targets for operators of the illicit trade, with some allegedly accessing the banned brews with ease despite repeated complaints to authorities.
“The liquor dens have increased drastically in Witeithie over the past few months, but our biggest concern is the danger they pose to our children. School-going children are being sold these substances openly in some of these dens, yet nothing seems to be happening despite numerous reports to the relevant authorities,” said Millicent Njoki, a resident in the estate.
Residents say the illegal trade has already claimed lives, with at least three people reportedly dying after consuming the suspected poisonous brews. The alcohol is said to be sold at extremely low prices, between Sh. 25 and Sh. 30 per serving, making it easily accessible to low-income earners and young people.
One resident, Joseph Thuku, recounted the tragic death of his younger brother, whom he said became addicted to the cheap liquor.
“My brother died because of these drinks. I am appealing to the government to take action and end this menace before more families suffer the same fate,” Thuku said.
He described how his brother, George Chege, a small-scale trader who had been making steady progress in life, gradually fell into addiction.
“He had even started constructing a house worth about Sh2 million at our rural home in Murang’a. But after becoming addicted to illicit alcohol, his life changed completely. He separated from his wife, developed health complications and eventually died from liver failure,” he said.
Residents claim the illicit alcohol is transported into Witeithie from various locations, including Kenol in Murang’a County, before being distributed through a network of illegal outlets.
Beyond the sale of illegal alcohol, residents allege that some of the dens have become hubs for drug trafficking and the distribution of other prohibited substances. The claims have heightened fears among parents, particularly after reports that some of the customers frequenting the outlets are teenagers. According to locals, young men are recruited to sell rolls of bhang and other drugs from designated points within the estate.
“You will often see groups of young men loitering around certain wines and spirits shops. Customers know where to find them and pick up the drugs from there,” said one concerned resident who requested anonymity.
The residents say many of the liquor outlets operate around the clock despite lacking the necessary licences. Some of the premises appear closed from the outside but remain accessible to customers throughout the day and night, allowing business to continue uninterrupted. The dens are reportedly frequented by touts, casual labourers and other residents, with customers arriving as early as 8 a.m.
Villagers have further alleged that some local administrators and security officers may have been compromised, claiming operators of the illegal businesses pay bribes to avoid enforcement action. However, no evidence has been publicly presented to support the allegations.
When contacted for comment, Juja Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Ndege confirmed receiving complaints from residents and said a multi-agency operation had been initiated to address the problem.
“We have received several complaints and are taking decisive action through a multi-agency team. I do not want to disclose operational details because we do not want information leaked to those involved,” Ndege said.
His remarks come amid growing calls for authorities to intensify enforcement against the sale of illicit alcohol and drugs in the area. Legitimate bar and wines-and-spirits operators have also expressed concern, arguing that illegal traders are not only endangering lives but also undermining lawful businesses and denying the government tax revenue.
Paul Karanja, a bar operator in Juja, said the influx of cheap illicit alcohol has significantly affected licensed establishments.
“Most customers are flocking to these illegal outlets because the drinks are cheaper. Unfortunately, many consumers are only interested in getting intoxicated and do not consider the health risks involved,” he said.
According to Karanja, some genuine businesses have been forced to scale down operations or close altogether due to declining customer numbers.
Residents identified several outlets they claim are notorious for selling illegal alcohol, some of them located just a short distance from local police facilities.
One suspected dealer has allegedly been arrested and prosecuted multiple times over offences related to illicit alcohol and drug trafficking. Locals claim he continues to operate despite previous convictions, fines and custodial sentences.
The situation has also renewed scrutiny on the Kiambu County Government, which is responsible for licensing alcohol outlets.
The concerns in Witeithie come as authorities continue to crack down on illegal alcohol operations in neighbouring counties.
In a recent case, Dennis Muiruri Kamande was fined Sh. 9.2 million by the Kenol Law Courts after being convicted of multiple offences related to the illegal manufacture and possession of alcoholic products and counterfeit excise stamps. In a judgment delivered on June 10, 2026, Resident Magistrate Renna Jakinda found Kamande guilty of six offences under the Excise Duty Act, 2015 and the Anti-Counterfeit Act, 2008.
The court heard evidence from 11 prosecution witnesses before convicting him of offences including manufacturing alcoholic products without a licence, possessing illegal excisable goods and trading in counterfeit products.
Residents now hope a similar level of enforcement will be directed toward Witeithie before more lives are lost to the growing illicit alcohol menace.
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