Overview: Former NACADA chairman John Mututho has reignited a debate regarding the authenticity of spirits in Kenya, asserting that no genuine vodka is manufactured locally. His comments coincide with intensified efforts by authorities to seize counterfeit alcohol and enforce international standards on local producers.
The Full Story
During an interview with NTV published on 1 Sep 2026, Mututho stated, “There’s no genuine vodka in Kenya. If you want to sell vodka, then you must conform to the internationally accepted standards of vodka.” He argued that companies producing or selling vodka in Kenya should comply with internationally recognised standards governing the spirit. When challenged on the specifics of local production, Mututho maintained that genuine vodka production involves specific raw materials and processes, challenging local distillers to open their facilities for inspection.
The former NACADA boss also alleged that a large proportion of the industrial ethanol used in Kenya is imported by a single company. He stated, “All alcohol (industrial ethanol) consumed in Kenya is imported by one company to a level of 80 per cent,” though he did not identify the company or provide evidence to substantiate the figure during the interview. These remarks come amid a fresh crackdown on counterfeit alcohol, with authorities recently seizing thousands of suspected fake bottles.
Mututho’s latest claims follow previous assertions made in February 2024 and February 2025 regarding the quality of alcoholic drinks. In February 2024, he challenged Kenyan manufacturers to demonstrate that their products met the standards required to be classified as genuine vodka. He argued that few rich people can afford to import good stuff but majority of Kenyans are drinking poison. His tenure and advocacy have been associated with the alcohol-control measures popularly known as the Mututho laws.
Brand & Industry History
Mututho, who previously served as the MP for Naivasha and chaired NACADA, remains one of the most vocal Kenyan campaigners against alcohol and drug abuse. His tenure and advocacy have been associated with the alcohol-control measures popularly known as the Mututho laws. In February 2025, he claimed that more than 85% of Kenyans were consuming what he described as “poison,” arguing that only a small group could afford genuine imported alcoholic products.
What This Means
Mututho’s comments come at a time when Kenyan authorities are intensifying efforts against counterfeit and illicit alcoholic products. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations reported the seizure of hundreds of cartons of suspected counterfeit spirits in Thika. The products were packaged in bottles bearing the names of several familiar alcohol brands, while investigators also recovered empty bottles, ethanol and counterfeit KRA excise stamps.
NACADA has also been conducting multi-agency operations targeting illicit alcohol, including a recent 10-day crackdown in Nairobi that resulted in 11 arrests and the seizure of suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages. Another operation in Ruai resulted in the seizure of more than 200 cartons of suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks, with one suspect arrested.
Consumer Takeaway
The current situation highlights the risks associated with purchasing spirits that may not meet international standards or carry genuine KRA excise stamps. Authorities have seized empty bottles and ethanol alongside fake branded products, indicating a significant presence of illicit goods in the local market. Consumers are advised to be aware that many products on the shelf may lack the raw materials and processes required for genuine classification.
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