Four police on Tuesday were locked up in a chang'aa den by angry villagers in King'ong'o, Uasin Gishu County when they went to make arrests during a routine patrol.
The officers had attempted to arrest those who drinking in the settlement before the suspects resisted, attracting a crowd who locked up the officers.
The villagers overpowered the police and then locked them inside the house they had raided.
According to police report, the officers from King'ong'o Police Station in Uasin Gishu County had targeted the owner of the house who they claimed was selling illicit brew.
"The officers were on patrol when they raided a chang'aa den. The unruly mob started throwing stones and other objects at the officers who were holed up in the two bedroomed house accusing them of targeting their area every time they carried out crackdowns on illicit alcohol," the statement read in parts.
On realising that they were cornered, the officers made phone calls to their colleagues for help.
"The officers were later rescued by fellow officers who accompanied by County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi," the statement read in parts.
The officers took evidence, including litres of chang'aa as evidence.
There were no reports of destruction of property or injuries during the confrontation between the villagers and officers.
The government has renewed the fight against illicit brew which is estimated to affect millions of Kenyans.
In the past, chang'aa distillers have been accused of using toxic ingredients, causing health complications.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had previously issued orders to illicit brewers to stop the crime, noting that no one will be spared by the State.
