System is abetting ethanol smuggling in Kenya

Police in Kitengela Kajiado County has intercepted more than 40,000 liters of ethanol suspected to be transported to the City from a neighboring country Tanzania.Two people were arrested, while the two lorries were detained at the Kajiado police station. Kenya Revenue Authority from the Namanga bounder are on the spot for clearing the consignment. [PHOTO/ PETERSON GITHAIGA]

Kenya’s illegal ethanol importation scam is turning to be a deadly business that enjoys protection from the high and mighty, multiple interviews with people involved have revealed.

So daring are the players in the scam that even some police are split, with a faction working for the well-heeled importers as it played out on Monday in Kitengela.