Editor's Review

The government noted that nine alcohol manufacturers were found to have not fully complied with government requirements.


The Ministry of Interior has cleared 13 alcohol manufacturing companies to resume business after vetting them. 

In a statement on Sunday, July 14, the ministry disclosed that the approval of the 13 firms brought the total number of cleared alcohol manufacturers in the country to 15 after clearing two earlier. 

The two, Kenya Nut Company Limited and UDV, had been allowed to continue with operations after they were found to have met all requirements in a vetting process conducted in March.

The 13 additional firms cleared on Sunday were Patiala Distillers Kenya Limited, Savannah Brands Company Limited, Kenya Wine Agencies Limited, Manchester Distillers Limited, FRM EA Packers Limited, and Corobus Africa Products Limited. 

Others were Zheng Hong(K) Limited, Two Cousins Distillers Limited, Lyniber Supplies Limited, Elle Kenya Limited, Agro Chemical & Food Co. Limited, Crywan Enterprises and London Distillers Kenya Limited. 

File image of President Willliam Ruto and Interior PS Raymond Omollo.

The Ministry noted that nine alcohol manufacturers were found to have not fully complied with government requirements.

These included Rift Valley Brewing Company, Platinum Distillers Limited, Lumat Company Limited, Julijo Investment (K) Limited, Kedesta Investment Limited, Viva Bebida Limited, Sabibu Beverages Africa Limited, Mamboleo Distillers Limited and Algarve Distillers Limited.

At the same time, the Ministry disclosed that five companies, including Keroche Breweries Limited, were not involved in the re-vetting exercise as they did not inform the vetting team of their compliance status within 21 days in line with a notice issued to them.

The re-vetting comes after the government in March announced a programme for suppression of the manufacture, sale, distribution, and consumption of illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs in the country.

This followed an immediate suspension of all licenses, permits, and authorisations for the manufacture and distillery of second-generation alcohol, and a further directive that fresh vetting be undertaken within twenty-one (21) days to ensure compliance of establishments with security, safety, health, labour, environmental and other standards as defined in relevant national laws.