Assessing illicit alcohol intervention strategies in Kenya: a national security perspective

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of current intervention strategies against illicit alcohol in Kenya, focusing on Kakamega and Trans Nzoia counties in Western Kenya. Despite government efforts to curb production and consumption, illicit alcohol remains a persistent challenge with significant public health, economic, and security implications. Through interviews and focus group discussions with 42 participants including law enforcement officials, policymakers, community leaders, public health professionals, and affected community members—the research evaluates existing approaches, the impact, and key gaps in implementation. Findings reveal stark differences between the two counties: Kakamega struggles with small-scale, decentralized production and police-community tensions, while Trans Nzoia faces organized crime networks and cross-border smuggling. Common challenges include systemic corruption, politicized enforcement, and the lack of viable economic alternatives for those dependent on the illicit trade. While crackdowns have reduced alcohol poisoning incidents in Trans Nzoia, they have also exacerbated poverty and distrust in law enforcement, particularly where raids disrupt livelihoods without providing substitutes. The study recommends three key policy shifts: (a) differentiated interventions tailored to county-specific conditions, (b) strengthened anticorruption mechanisms, including whistleblower protections and independent oversight, and (c) alternative livelihood programs to address the economic roots of illicit alcohol production. It further identifies critical areas for future research, including longitudinal studies of post-enforcement socioeconomic outcomes, cross-border trade dynamics, political economy analyses of protection networks, and gender-sensitive approaches to intervention design. By centering the voices of affected communities and frontline stakeholders, this research challenges the prevailing overreliance on punitive measures and advocates for a more holistic, evidence-based policy framework. The findings underscore the need to balance public health objectives with economic justice and governance reforms to achieve sustainable reductions in illicit alcohol prevalence. Keywords: Illicit alcohol, enforcement strategies, corruption, alternative livelihoods, public health, organized crime, cross-border smuggling