Kenya: Keroche Breweries resumes operations

Keroche Breweries, Naivasha has resumed operations following a raid and a week of disruptions in the crackdown against illicit brews, All Africa reported on July 10.

Trucks have not yet been deployed due to the hostile environment, said CEO Tabitha Karanja.

Karanja said Keroche lost millions of shillings despite having "top quality products" fully certified by various agencies.

"This company is fully supported by financiers and we have a target that we could not meet due to the ongoing crackdown," she told the press at her office on July 10.

She dismissed the term 'second generation brews' saying it was coined by competitors.

"The technology used 500 years ago to brew alcohol is the same one being used today. There is nothing like second generation brews," she said.

The CEO hit out at Naivasha MP John Kihagi for the company's woes and leading an attempt by hired goons to raid and destroy her property.

"We blame our losses on the MP, for misleading the youths, and unfair play from our competitors who have monopolised the trade for over 80 years," she said.

Keroche fully supported the countrywide crackdown on illicit brews, Karanja said, asking state agencies to pursue companies that do not meet standards.

"It is wrong and unfair to use politicians in this exercise. We should use established structures and government agencies," she added.

15 July, 2015