The police have launched a manhunt for two suspects who are believed to be involved in the illegal trade of counterfeit goods in Nakuru.

Benjamin Njoroge and Margaret Sanaipei are believed to have conducted their operations in the Pakawa area of Pipeline Estate.

During the crackdown on Friday, police and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials found fake excise stamps and alcohol seals worth millions of shillings.

Counterfeit sticker rolls and rolls of counterfeit excise stamps were impounded in the Pakawa area of Pipeline Estate on September 5, 2025.

Photo credit: Leleti Jassor/Mtaa Wangu

"During the operation, we discovered two rolls of counterfeit excise stamps, valued at approximately Sh2.1 million. We also recovered 140 used ethanol jerry cans, which are believed to have been part of an illegal alcohol distribution network. The jerry cans alone are estimated to be worth Sh2.5 million,” says a KRA official.

Counterfeit sticker rolls and rolls of counterfeit excise stamps were impounded in the Pakawa area of Pipeline Estate on September 5, 2025.

Photo credit: Leleti Jassor/Mtaa Wangu

Further investigations at the scene led to the discovery of counterfeit sticker rolls bearing the names Patiala-based and Sweet Berry, which are suspected of having been used to label fake alcoholic beverages.

“We also seized several packaging materials, including Flying Horse and Smart Vodka cartons, as well as printing machines believed to have been used to produce the fake materials,” the official added.

Fake title deeds were also recovered in the Pakawa area of Pipeline Estate on September 5, 2025 during a KRA crackdown.

Photo credit: Leleti Jassor/Mtaa Wangu

Several fake title deeds were also recovered during the operation, raising suspicions of possible involvement in land fraud or document forgery.

“This operation has revealed a well-organised network that is not only involved in counterfeiting alcohol products, but is potentially involved in other criminal activities such as document fraud. The presence of printing machines and forged excise stamps shows just how bold and sophisticated these networks have become,” says the KRA official.

Counterfeit sticker rolls and rolls of counterfeit excise stamps were impounded in the Pakawa area of Pipeline Estate on September 5, 2025.

Photo credit: Leleti Jassor/Mtaa Wangu

According to Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winstone Mwakio, the main suspects, Benjamin Njoroge and Margaret Sanaipei, remain at large.

The two are believed the two played a central role in the illegal trade and efforts to apprehend them are ongoing.

"From the information we have, the containers and bottle caps found at the scene were empty, no ethanol or other substances were recovered. The raid was led by KRA, based on their own intelligence. As police, we offered support on the ground, but we can only report what is actually recovered," says Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winstone Mwakio in a phone interview.

Some of the items recovered at Pipeline during a crackdown on counterfeit goods.

Photo credit: Leleti Jassor/Mtaa Wangu

“We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. These operations form part of a wider national crackdown on illicit trade and tax evasion," adds the KRA official.

The authorities are urging members of the public to report any information that could help locate the suspects or expose similar illegal activities.

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