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Kenya

KBL concerned as certified brew is targeted

Some of the products produced by United Distillers Vintners, an arm of eabl. Photo/ COURTESY

Some of the products produced by United Distillers Vintners, an arm of eabl. Photo/ COURTESY

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 6 – Kenya Breweries Limited has expressed concern over the targeting of certified products in the fight against illicit brews.

In a statement, the company’s Corporate Relations Director Eric Kiniti pointed out that legitimate products worth millions of shillings have been confiscated and destroyed.

He described these acts as unwarranted and states that they are unjustified and criminal in nature.

“Kenya Breweries Limited fully supports efforts to rid the country of all illicit and unregulated alcohol that has continued to cause untold suffering to Kenyans. As a respected and responsible business, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the production and sale of dangerous and unhygienic alcohol,” he said.

He stated that a number of establishments certified by the institution have been targeted unduly by the crackdown.

“KBL however notes with great exception and concern the latest development in the country where a number of legitimate establishments dealing with duly certified KBL products have been targeted, unlawfully raided and products worth millions of shillings confiscated and destroyed,” he said.

He stated that the indiscriminate raids in some counties is causing unnecessary anxiety which is bound to impair the ability of the company to meet its obligation as a tax payer.

“These unwarranted acts are criminal, unjustified, and totally uncalled for. There must be sanity, sobriety and a formalized channel of dealing with illicit alcohol and brews without adversely affecting the legitimate industry,” he stated. ‘The current indiscriminate raids being conducted in some counties is causing unnecessary anxiety and disruption to legitimate trade that is bound to have deeper ramifications including impairing our ability to meet our obligation as a significant taxpayer in the country.”

He stressed that KBL always ensures that all its products adhere to the safety standards for alcoholic beverages.

“As a leading branded alcohol manufacturer KBL takes responsibility of leading initiatives that will promote the health and safety of adult consumers of alcoholic beverages. KBL is committed to and will continue spearhead efforts to promote responsible use of alcohol not only for the benefit of our consumers but society at large.”

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And as the war against illicit alcohol progresses, over 15,000 cartons of assorted Second generation brew have been impounded at a depot in Nyahururu.

Residents led by Laikipia West M.P Wachira Karani also recovered 5 litres pf methanol believed to be used in the manufacturing of the brews.

During the raid, a measuring cylinder, a KRA labeling strip, labeling paper with KBS water mark among other items were also recovered.

In one of the depots over 7,000 cartons of assorted brews was destroyed while in another, over 15,000 of such brews was found hidden in underground rooms within Nyahururu town.

On Sunday, State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu warned implementers of the directive against misusing it to intimidate and interrupt businesses.

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