Keroche Breweries associated with Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja is among 24 alcohol manufacturers which run the risk of losing their licenses in 21 days....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
This is after the government gave the firms the timeline to adhere to its listed guidelines to continue operating.
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki in a statement to newsrooms on Friday, April 5 revealed that only three out of 29 firms have been allowed to resume production subject to meeting specific requirements for each of them.
The three include Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), Savanna Brands Company Limited, and Patiala Distillers Kenya Limited.
For KWAL, the CS indicated that verification and approval of the model of the transmitter for offloading and dispatch flowmeters was approved, and for Savanna Brands Company Limited, the vetting agencies were certified with their production of valid calibration certificates of GC machine and services done on them; and payment of the standards levy.
Patiala was revealed to have resolved a legal dispute between it and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS); and a positive Noise Level Measurement Report from the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS).
“Licences, permits and authorizations for the following twenty-four (24) entities remain suspended up to and until all the compliance issues are satisfactorily addressed within twenty-one (21) days effective Monday, April 8, 2024 failure to which the licences, permits and authorizations shall stand revoked,” the statement read in part.
The 24 entities which are at risk of losing their licenses include Two Cousins Distillers Limited, Corobus Africa Products Limited, Lyniber Supplies Limited, Elle Kenya Limited, Zheng Hong (K) Limited, Rift Valley Brewing Company – Thika, FRM EA Packers Limited, Manchester Distillers Limited, Kedsta Investment Limited, Julijo Investment Limited, Platinum Distillers Limited, London Distillers Kenya Limited, Agro Chemicals and Food Processing Company.
Others are Crywan 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.
“The specific areas of non-compliance and the twenty-one (21) day notice to comply will be relayed to each of the affected entities appearing in paragraph 5 herein, on Monday, April 8, 2024, through the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration with copies to all relevant Government Agencies for supervision of this directive,” added the statement.
Two entities that include Kenya Nut Company Limited, and UDV were out of 29 distillers and manufacturers of second-generation alcohol deemed to have passed the vetting by the multi-agency team and allowed to continue with production.
Kindiki’s directives made earlier in March were endorsed by the Cabinet in the fight against illicit brews and narcotic drugs in the country.
These measures, announced by the Interior Ministry, included a 21-day suspension of all 52 licences and permits issued to manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol, revocation of all bar licences issued by counties against the law and an audit of conflict of interest within the ranks of enforcement agencies.
Other measures announced by Kindiki on Wednesday, March 6 include nationwide crackdowns on the sale, transportation, distribution and consumption of illicit brews and narcotic drugs…CONTINUE READING>>
