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Keroche Breweries among 25 alcohol manufacturers facing license revocation

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki appears before the National Assembly's Petitions Committee on March 21, 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Interior and National Administration)

By Eastleigh Voice Reporter | 05 Apr 2024

Kindiki, in a statement released on Friday, said that only three out of the 29 manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol have been permitted to resume production.

Keroche Breweries, linked to Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja, and London Distillers are among 24 alcohol manufacturers facing the imminent threat of losing their licences within the next 21 days if they fail to comply with government regulations.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, in a statement released on Friday, said that only three out of the 29 manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol have been permitted to resume production.

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These approved companies include Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), Savanna Brands Company Limited, and Patiala Distillers Kenya Limited.

Only two out of the 29 distillers and manufacturers of second-generation alcohol passed the vetting conducted by a multi-agency team, allowing them to continue production. These are Kenya Nut Company Limited and UDV.

For KWAL, the CS said that the verification and approval of the transmitter model for offloading and dispatch flowmeters were granted, while Savanna Brands Company Limited met certification requirements for their production of valid calibration certificates for GC machines, along with payment of the standards levy.

Additionally, the Interior CS noted that the 24 firms risk having their licenses revoked if they do not comply with the listed guidelines within 21 days from Monday, April 8, 2024.

These companies include Rift Valley Brewing Company – Thika, FRM EA Packers Limited, Two Cousins Distillers Limited, and others such as Corobus Africa Products Limited, Lyniber Supplies Limited, Elle Kenya Limited, and Zheng Hong (K) Limited.

Others are Enterprises, Lumat Company Limited, Fastlane Wines and Spirits, Algarve Distillers Limited, Viva Bedida, Metro Breweries, Sabibu Beverages Africa Limited, Lodiani Water Spring, Africa Spirit Limited, and Mamboleo Distillers.

Also on the list are Manchester Distillers Limited, Kedsta Investment Limited, Julijo Investment Limited, Platinum Distillers Limited, London Distillers Kenya Limited, Agro Chemicals and Food Processing Company.

The vetting process involved eight agencies, including the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), the Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), Public Health Department, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), and the Department of Weights and Measures.

This statement comes a month after the government announced 25 new measures aimed at eradicating illicit brews, drugs, and substance abuse in the country.