Kenya's illicit alcohol market is estimated to be worth Sh203 billion, underscoring the vast scale of illegal alcohol trade and its significant economic and social consequences.
According to the 2025 Economic International Study by the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya, unregulated alcohol makes up approximately 60 percent of all alcohol consumed nationwide.
This illegal sector results in an estimated Sh120 billion loss in government revenue each year. The public health impact is severe, with over 14,000 deaths annually attributed to alcohol-related causes linked to illicit brews.
Affordability is a major driver behind the widespread consumption of illicit spirits, with 74 percent of consumers citing low cost as the key reason. These illegal alcoholic beverages can be up to 80 percent cheaper than legally produced alternatives, making them accessible to a large segment of the population.
